Empathy & Narcissists: What is Love Bombing?

Whether they’re your friend, partner, boss or family member, you’ll find many people have experienced interacting with a narcissist, especially through some form of love bombing. But what characteristics distinguish a narcissist from just a selfish human being, how can you overcome their abuse, and how does one recognize love bombing?

Crystallography is thrilled to partner with Cristine, an intuitive energy healer and Reiki master, to teach us about how to spot a narcissist, recognize the specific tactics, such as love-bombing, that they use to manipulate the people around them, and how to break free of their power.

Narcissists

According to the DSM-5 (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used by mental health professionals), narcissism is defined as a complex personality disorder with patterns of grandiosity, need for admiration and attention, and a lack of empathy. In other words, narcissists are people who are only interested in themselves and will do whatever it takes to keep the focus on them. They do not care about the people around them, despite what they’ve led you to believe, and will use their charisma and charm to surround themselves with people that feed their egos.

People can have narcissistic traits, but they are not a true narcissist unless they disregard others’ feelings entirely, to the point that they do not understand the effect they have on other people. Often, they will seem incredibly perfect on the surface, only to reveal their negative traits once someone has grown attached to them.

What is Love Bombing?

Love bombing is a method used by narcissists to draw people into their circle and keep them there. It usually involves lavishing a partner with gifts, grand gestures, or anything else that speaks to that partner’s love language in order to gain the upper hand in a relationship. Through this manipulation tactic, narcissists are able to win the trust of their partner while using the knowledge that their partner loves and adores them to feed their egos.

Love bombing doesn’t just occur in romantic relationships, either. Friends, coworkers, family members, employers and the like with NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) can all love bomb, whether that be in the form of time spent together, job perks, perceived kindness, or gifts.

In the webinar below, Cristine will walk you through the specifics of love bombing and how to deal with it, whether you’re getting into a new relationship with a narcissist or trying to survive a current one.

About the Healer

Cristine is an Intuitive Energy Healer who offers healing sessions and psychic readings to clients seeking to relieve stress, support physical healing, and navigate through times of significant personal change and transformation. She is an Usui Reiki Master and Teacher, and a Certified Crystal Reader with a B.A. in Psychology from Barnard College of Columbia University. She utilizes crystals, aromatherapy, sound healing, and shamanic techniques to help her clients navigate transformation and find more joy in their lives.

In addition to her energy healing work, Cristine helps empaths who struggle with toxic relationships. She has a proven system that helps them break free from the cycle of narcissistic abuse, find clarity, and reconnect with their joy. She is offering a free ebook entitled 3 Surprising Signs that You’re in a Relationship with a Narcissist, and the #1 Thing You Can Do to Regain Your Personal Power. 

To connect with Cristine, check out her website and follow her on Instagram @CultivatedHippy. We hope you find her webinar below helpful, and happy healing.

Michelle Ferris

Michelle Ferris is the owner, curator, and buyer for Crystal Lounge by Crystallography Gems. Born & raised in Seattle by first-generation parents, she has worked to create authentic, connective, and inclusive events for the better portion of her professional life. Since 2013, Michelle worked to create community-activated Rock, Gem, Art, & Music shows, at which Crystallography Gems was a cornerstone. At the start of the pandemic, moved her operation online, and opened a shop in Georgetown, expanding into a larger showroom in 2022. In November 2023, she moved her shop to downtown Seattle, rebranding it as Crystal Lounge by Crystallography Gems. Her shop offers crystals, minerals, gems, rocks, jewelry, and metaphysical tools, and focuses on getting her customers the tools they need, and the education needed for them to make informed, confident decisions about their purchases.