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, gaslighting, intermittently lacking emotional or physical intimacy, withdrawing affection, seductive withholding, inexplicably disappearing from contact, or blaming the target for the narcissistic person’s issues (projection), and other forms of emotional abuse and manipulation, During the devaluation phase, the narcissist will intermittently return to the idealization love bombing phase, however briefly, to keep the victim off balance and to create and reinforce trauma bonds.