Summary
Highlights
Narcissists are rarely willing to fully discard a target because they rely on the victim's energy as a source of emotional supply. They actively manipulate situations to ensure they remain connected to their former supply, even when they appear to have moved on or blocked the person.
Narcissists often use high-commitment life milestones as a mechanism for control. This includes marriage for the sake of utilizing the victim's supportive qualities, having children to create a permanent, lifelong link that facilitates future abuse and custody battles, and engaging in frivolous lawsuits to force interaction through the court system.
To prevent a clean break, narcissists may enter into permanent agreements such as buying property or starting businesses together. These arrangements ensure there is always a complex, time-consuming process required for separation, allowing the narcissist to cycle back to the victim whenever they need a fresh source of supply.
It is crucial to recognize that these actions, such as marriage or child-rearing, are often calculated to maintain access to the victim rather than stemming from genuine love or a commitment to become a better person. Narcissists will continue these patterns because they are incapable of change and seek to exploit their targets indefinitely.