Gradually, the target begins to see bright red flags that indicate a problem in this fantastical paradise. The narcissist will begin—subtly, insidiously, and covertly—to devalue his or her significant other. This may happen via putdowns, gaslightingGaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person covertly sows seeds of doubt in a, intermittently lacking emotional or physical intimacy, withdrawing affection, seductive withholding, inexplicably disappearing from contact, or blaming the target for the narcissistic person’s issues (projectionNarcissistic Projection is a defense mechanism commonly used by abusers, including people with narcissistic or borderline personality disorder and addicts. Basically,), and other forms of emotional abuseEmotional Abuse is an attempt to control, in just the same way that physical abuse is and manipulation, During the devaluation phase, the narcissist will intermittently return to the idealizationIn the beginning of a romantic relationship with a narcissist, a victim may describe the initial infatuation love bombingLove Bombing involves being showered with affection, gifts, and promises for the future with someone making phase, however briefly, to keep the victim off balance and to create and reinforce trauma bondsTrauma Bonds refers to a state of being emotionally attached not to a kind friend.