1. IDEALIZING
The first stage is often painted by the rose-tinted colors of love bombing.
It is a strategy used by narcissists and abusers to influence and control someone through excessive attention, admiration and affection.
“Love-Bombing was identified as the presence of excessive communication at the beginning of a romantic relationship in order to obtain power and control over another’s life as a means of narcissistic self-enhancement,” explain researchers.
It is seen as a crucial aspect of the cycle of abuse and one of the main stages of a toxic relationship by psychologists.
During this stage, the toxic partner greatly manipulates and influences the victim by constantly praising them, giving them compliments and constant attention.
Your partner or spouse will try to impress you through grand gestures, expensive gifts and surprise vacations… all to sweep you off your feet.
The objective is to make you feel special so that you seek their companionship and approval without thinking much about it.
They will push you to commit to the relationship sooner than you want to and make you feel like it is the best decision of your life.