The stages of narcissistic friendship
Are you friends with a narcissist? Be prepared for a pattern of idealization and devaluation.
by: E.B. Johnson
Is your friend a narcissist? One of the best ways to identify this type of toxic relationship is by looking for the patterns and stages that this type of friendship goes through. When a narcissist sets out to bring us into their lives, there’s usually a set pattern of idealization and devaluation that creates intense, codependent bonds. Once you admit that your friend is a narcissist, you can take steps to protect yourself and prevent further damage in the future.
The stages of narcissistic friendship.
When a narcissist sets out to make friends with you, they use a very distinct pattern of connection that creates intense, codependent bonds (Maass, Wehner & Ziegler, 2018). These connections form so quickly that we rarely have time to honestly analyze them for what they are.
Idealization
The first stage of joining with the narcissist, idealization involves the creation of an intense bond. During the stage, the narcissistic friend will act compassionate and charming. They may seem to have more in common with you than anyone ever before. You become very…
