The so-called “love languages” are the ways people express and/or like to receive affection. But genuine love is much more than affection. And equating love’s many close cousins with the real deal is often quite emotionally costly.
Narcissism dynamics are behaviors and interaction patterns common to narcissists, and the seeding of attention, affirmation, admiration, adulation, acclamation, adoration.
Some things in life sure do seem like love. And too many come to realize what love really is and isn’t too late in a relationship, when they’ve already invested a lot. The sense of dissapointment, disillusionment, and betrayal that inevitably follows can be a serious soul crusher.
Narcissists cannot really love because they can’t get beyond themselves. Some can charm convincingly, making you think it’s all about you. But when you scratch below the surface, you’ll find that it’s always really about them.
Some narcissists primarily want attention. Others just want to be right, justified – affirmed. More pathological narcissists seek adulation. And the most pathological narcissists want to be adored. Legends in their own minds, they consider themselves worthy of worship.
Affirmation dependency is overly relying on external sources for validation of one’s worth. You develop it by not properly understanding what your worth genuinely is and where it stems from.