The Charming Façade: Narcissists initially present themselves as incredibly charming, charismatic, and confident individuals, aiming to create a favorable first impression and build trust.

Love Bombing: They shower the target with excessive attention, flattery, and gifts, making the person feel incredibly special and loved, according to Medium. This intense focus can create a strong, sometimes overwhelming, sense of connection and dependence.

Mirroring: Narcissists often mirror the victim's interests, values, and desires, creating the illusion of being a perfect match or "soulmate". This fosters a sense of deep understanding and compatibility, which can be particularly intoxicating for the victim, notes Narcissist Abuse Support. 

Testing Boundaries: Once the initial idealization phase has established trust and dependency, the narcissist begins to subtly test boundaries through minor criticisms or dismissive remarks. If these are overlooked or excused, it paves the way for further manipulation.

Gaslighting: This involves twisting facts, denying past events, and making the victim doubt their own perceptions, memory, and sanity. Gaslighting creates confusion and a power imbalance, leaving the victim more reliant on the narcissist for their sense of reality.

Isolation: Narcissists often work to isolate their victims from friends, family, and other support systems, becoming the primary source of emotional and social connection. This isolation weakens the victim's ability to gain perspective and makes them more vulnerable to the narcissist's control.

Intermittent Reinforcement: The narcissist alternates between periods of affection and kindness and periods of criticism, devaluation, or neglect. This unpredictable "push-pull" dynamic keeps the victim confused and anxious, desperately seeking to regain the earlier affection and approval.

Devaluation and Discarding: Once the narcissist feels they have sufficient control, they will begin to openly criticize, belittle, and undermine the victim's self-esteem. They may blame the victim for problems in the relationship and may ultimately discard them abruptly when the victim no longer serves their needs or when a new source of supply is found. 

Recognizing these grooming and conditioning tactics is the first step towards breaking free from narcissistic abuse. Building a strong support system, educating oneself about narcissistic behavior, setting boundaries, and seeking professional help can be crucial steps in reclaiming your life and healing from the trauma of such a relationship.