How Long Will A Narcissist Rebound Relationship Last (2023)

How Long Will A Narcissist Rebound Relationship Last (1)

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Many people often indulge in a relationship soon after ending the past one. But isn’t this quite narcissistic? So, how long will a narcissist rebound relationship last?

Modern research has proven that people may often indulge in rebound relationships due to lower levels of social support and more emotional attachment to their ex. They often indulge in a new love to cope with everything.

Since they might think they always need attention from themselves and others, the relationship often becomes quite challenging. Hence, the main question is –”how long will a narcissist rebound relationship last?”

But the answer is not so simple. You have to think by checking out the psychological aspects of different individuals who indulge in such relationships.

What is a narcissist rebound relationship?

To understand the narcissist rebound relationship, you have to have a clear idea of what these two terms mean.

Narcissistic persons think they are the best and consider themselves so unique that they need all the attention in the world. On the other hand, a rebound relationship happens when someone starts a relationship without properly moving on from the past one.

That means a narcissist rebound relationship is a relationship that involves a narcissistic individual who indulges in a new relationship without properly ending their previous one. Since they require a lot of attention, they often indulge in new relationships to get attention and admiration.

Before you read further, here are some signs that your partner is narcissistic:

How Long Will A Narcissist Rebound Relationship Last (2)

How long does a typical narcissist relationship last?

The main question here is how long do narcissist relationships last? Due to their turbulent nature, such relationships may not last long because the combination of a narcissist and a new relationship is not stable.

Before you understand how long such a relationship can last, let’s understand how long a narcissist relationship can last.

It might be a short fling but not something that goes towards a lifetime commitment. Let’s take a detailed look.

Narcissistic people might have huge egos. If their partner leaves them due to their inability to provide attention, they might be hurt. In such cases, they find no relationship to get some attention. Since they cannot forget and move on from past relationships, they might fall for new people faster.

For such people, the idea of being in a relationship is the sensual thing that helps them not to remember their past one.

In some cases, narcissistic people try to get a breather from their partners’ simple demands for attention. They, in turn, go to new people to start a parallel relationships. They often continue their existing relationship while maintaining a new rebound relationship to feel free and lifted! Not a great thing after all!

What is the average length of a rebound relationship?

How long does a rebound relationship last? The average length of a rebound relationship is two to three years at maximum. Nearly 90% of such relationships are over within three years. Two to three months is the period, how long does infatuation last in a rebound relationship.

As the relationship progresses, the other partner might realize that they are just a replacement for someone else and are not getting genuine love in this relationship. This might cause them to break up.

Even if some relationships go longer, the number is very low. In rare cases, the two people overcome the rebound relationship stages together and find real love while sharing their inner fears and deepest insecurities. But, such cases are only a few!

Hence, it is clear that a narcissist rebound relationship may last only a few months. Some break up after a short fling of two to three weeks, while others end the relationship after the sweet initial phase ends in just a few months.

How Long Will A Narcissist Rebound Relationship Last (3)

3 stages in a narcissist rebound relationship

Overall, the relationship goes through different narcissist rebound relationship stages within a short period. These phases often determine how long a narcissist rebound relationship will last.

Here are the details related to the three stages of a rebound relationship involving a narcissistic person-

1. The infatuation or the honeymoon stage

The first stage of the relationship is the honeymoon phase. In this phase, the narcissistic individual feels the need to be the center of attention of a specific person.

If they have broken off from their ex, they suddenly feel over-excited and try to fall in love again.

Since they have a peculiar need to get attention from everyone, they often charm the targeted person easily. Their charm is enough to attract a new person. Hence, this rebound relationship starts.

So, how long does the honeymoon phase last with a narcissist? It might last for a week or two weeks at maximum.

Often the tenure of how long a narcissist’s rebound relationship will last determines the lifespan of the whole relationship.

During this phase, narcissistic people remain extremely cheerful and happy. They go out on regular dates, party a lot, and feed into newfound attention.

The relationship is perfect only at this stage for a few weeks, a maximum of four at once. This is the time span of how long does the honeymoon stage last with a narcissist properly. The next is a steep downhill.

2. The devaluing stage

After the initial rainbow starts to wane off, the main personality of the narcissistic individual comes to the surface. The initial lovey-dovey stage has lost its charm, and the relationship has entered one of the most challenging rebound relationship stages.

Hence, the couple starts to observe each other more and understand the other person’s faults. The person involved with such a narcissistic individual starts questioning the relationship.

They understand that their partner only requires attention and admiration. But does not intend to give the same to the relationship.

They probably think about how long will a narcissist rebound relationship last. Due to this, the couple often starts fighting.

Narcissistic people start to quarrel about the slightest things and try to gain control over the whole relationship. Even though there are a few fights, the number increases with time.

During this stage, the selfish nature of the individual forces them to lose a loving bond with the other person. Hence, they do not show love or affection like in the previous stage. They are now full of themselves, consider you inferior, and try to mold you in their ideologies.

Related Reading: 30 Top Signs A Narcissist Is Really Finished With You

3. Discarding stage

The last stage of a rebound relationship with the narcissist is the Discarding stage. The relationship is practically over during this period.

In this stage, the narcissist person is back again to their usual self and does not care about the feelings and needs of others.

They are so full of themselves that they do not realize what they have done is completely wrong. Hence, they try to find ways to escape.

While some people say they do not feel interested in the relationship anymore, others put up a gross cause. They will tell you their partner’s nagging nature is toxic, and they feel suffocated in the relationship.

But, in reality, they are not ready to share their attention with anyone other than themselves.

5 reasons why narcissist rebound relationships don’t last long

You already know how long a narcissist rebound relationship will last in general. But why? Well, because of the indulgent nature of the narcissistic person.

Here are the five reasons that justify the short rebound relationship length with a narcissist-

1. They require lots and lots of attention

The first and foremost issue is that narcissistic people require loads of attention constantly. They only feel attached to someone who constantly adores them and showers them with time and attention.

But, since they do not give attention to others, they are not ideal partners.

How Long Will A Narcissist Rebound Relationship Last (4)

2. Criticism is not for them

Being narcissists, they have high esteem. Hence, they do not take criticism openly and even do not recognize their mistakes.

So, how long will a narcissist rebound relationship last? Until you point out their mistakes.

As soon as you point out their mistakes and issues, they will instantly take this as a personal attack and cut you off from their life.

Related Reading: 10 Ways on How to Deal With Criticism in a Relationship

3. They are insecure

A narcissist person becomes insecure if their ex leaves them. Even if they love attention, they feel lonely. To mask this insecurity, they indulge in rebound relationships with others.

But, again, they will be making the same mistake and breaking off. The cycle goes on endlessly, and each relationship is short for them.

Related Reading: 16 Signs of Insecurity in Relationships

4. Their ego is way too much

It would help to keep your ego in check to maintain a healthy relationship. Often a little compromise goes a long way. But that is impossible for a narcissistic person. It is because their ego is sky-high.

If their ego is hurt, they will become precious and will not keep any contact with you.

5. They are unable to move on

The person has entered into a rebound relationship to get temporary relief from their breakup. But, their mind is filled with memories of their ex and their past relationship.

Hence, this prevents them from indulging in the current relationship, and they often end up comparing this relationship with the past one. This causes them to end their current relationship too.

Can rebound relationships last for years?

The rebound relationship length is quite complicated. As per any psychologist, the relationship may vary, ranging from one month to two to three years. Some relationships even last for decades.

How long rebound relationships last depends on how long the rebounder person feels comfortable. If they finally feel free of their past burdens and feel comfortable with the new partner, this relationship will have a stable future.

But, often, people jump into another relationship without healing from their last one. Hence, the relationship does not come with any healing or stability factor.

In most cases, the person involved in the rebound relationship does not commit for their whole life or a stable family for their partner. Hence, the relationship is often short-lived and through a bitter breakup phase.

Wrapping up

Narcissist rebound relationships are often not healthy and end up being a disaster. How long a narcissist rebound relationship lasts will depend on how long the other person tries to put up with the selfish demands of their partner.

Within a few months, the relationship will end in most cases.

FAQs

What is the average length of a rebound relationship? ›

“Rebound relationships typically last between one month and a year, and commonly struggle to last past the initial infatuation period. They are often not based on deep compatibility, so differences can start to strain the connection,” says Stein.

Do narcissist rebound relationships last? ›

Narcissist rebound relationships are often not healthy and end up being a disaster. How long a narcissist rebound relationship lasts will depend on how long the other person tries to put up with the selfish demands of their partner. Within a few months, the relationship will end in most cases.

Is the narcissist happy in his new relationship? ›

Narcissists can never really love anyone.

That's why it's important to remember that no matter how happy and loved-up they look with their new partner, it's only a matter of time before they start being belittled and insulted too. Narcissists can never really love anyone.

How long before a narc gets bored with new supply? ›

In a survey we conducted among 400 survivors of narcissistic abuse, we found that the average amount of time it took for narcissistic men to get bored with their new supply was five months and the average amount of time it took for narcissistic women to get bored with their new supply was two-and-a-half months.

How do rebound relationships usually end? ›

Nostalgia and Comparison – If the conflict isn't resolved, the person will start comparing their new partner to the one from their past relationship. These comparisons often don't reflect well on the new person, and usually spell the end of the rebound relationship.

How long until a rebound relationship fails? ›

Some people may enter into a rebound relationship just weeks after a breakup, whereas others might wait several months. Some studies state that 65% of rebound relationships fail within six months, whereas others claim that 90% fail within three months.

How long are narcissists good in new relationship? ›

According to Dr. Darlene Lancer, many narcissists can only sustain a relationship for six months to a few years (at the most). Keep in mind, though, we're talking about one four-stage cycle. Too often, a narcissist will initiate the cycle again, training their target to expect them to come back.

Will a narcissist break up with you and then come back? ›

Do Narcissists Come Back to Relationships? Yes, they often do come back to relationships. A narcissist will repeat their cycle of abuse as long as they need you as a supply. Even their distressing discard performance will leave you in a firm belief they're done with you; a narcissist will come back.

Do narcissists get over breakups? ›

People with high levels of narcissistic admiration experienced less anxiety and sadness after a breakup and maintained positive perceptions of their exes. They were also more likely to initiate a breakup and attribute it to their lack of interest in their ex.

Can a narcissist truly love another person? ›

Narcissists may show you love and act in loving ways, but this tends to be conditional, in that displays of love depend on what you can give them in return. For people with NPD, relationships tend to be transactional. Love is not self-serving, proud, boastful, exploitative, or envious.

How do you know the narcissist has moved on? ›

30 Signs that a narcissist is finished with you
  • The narcissist no longer hides their true colors. ...
  • You feel the change. ...
  • The narcissist will no longer give you love bombs. ...
  • They are constantly irritated with you. ...
  • The narcissist ignores everything you say. ...
  • They criticize you. ...
  • They are always distant. ...
  • A narcissist will gaslight you.
Mar 28, 2022

Will a narcissist change for a new boyfriend? ›

And although this may be a sad state of affairs for them, change is unlikely, and their abusive behaviour should not be tolerated, or enabled). Their new partner will invariably have been swept off their feet, as you had been, when you first met the narcissist.

Do narcissists get bored with long term partners? ›

Long-term relationships are boring to narcissists. They are drawn by the chase and may idealize the partners they can't have. They may appear to be charming, generous, and caring at first. But when they have you, they begin to get bored and to look for your faults.

Does a narcissist look for you in new supply? ›

You need to realize that most narcissists will find a new supply before they ever even dump you-before your relationship ends. This means while he is cheating on you, he's already misleading and being dishonest to the new girl or boy aka supply.

Will the narcissist abuse the new supply? ›

Narcissists show off their new supply to get as much narcissistic supply as they can from others, to devalue, degrade, and invalidate their old supply, and because they are love bombing their new supply to make them feel special and unique.

Do rebounds end badly? ›

Scientists say no. New research suggests that rebound relationships are remarkably healthy when executed correctly. Taking time between relationships to move on isn't necessary for emotional stability.

Is there love in a rebound relationship? ›

Yes, gradually, it is possible that you fall in love with your partner in a rebound relationship. You may discover that you have made peace with your past and you are happily living in your present. You have realised that you share a great rapport with your partner and think of him or her as a perfect partner.

Can a rebound relationship be the real deal? ›

THE BASICS

This evidence suggests that focusing on a new relationship might be a healthy solution to a difficult break-up—rebound relationships can be just as stable as others. The “get back out there” advice may be much wiser than the cautionary warning, “don't get involved again too soon.”

How do you know if a rebound is serious? ›

7 Signs You're Someone's Rebound
  1. They talk about their ex all the time. ...
  2. Very little time has passed between their last relationship and you. ...
  3. They keep things superficial. ...
  4. The focus of the relationship is sex. ...
  5. They are emotionally unavailable. ...
  6. You have an underlying feeling of being used. ...
  7. They are bitter.
Feb 16, 2022

Will no contact work if she's in a rebound? ›

If your ex got into a rebound relationship after your breakup, you may be thinking you've lost all your chances of making no contact work. Not so. A rebound relationship is, by definition, not as solid or genuine as the relationship that you and your ex shared.

Why do most rebound relationships fail? ›

Rebound relationships often fail because they lack the emotional intimacy that's essential for a lasting bond. Without a true emotional connection, there's little to hold people together once the novelty of the physical relationship wears off.

What is the honeymoon period in a narcissistic relationship? ›

Honeymoon abuser phase.

The period of calm after an abusive event is called the honeymoon phase. For the narcissist, the release of emotional energy during a rant is therapeutic. Sometimes, they are even completely unaware of what they have said.

How long does it take to move on from a narcissistic relationship? ›

Recovering from narcissistic abuse takes time, so you will have to remain patient. This process could take months or even years, but it's worth all of the hard work and effort. You can and will move on to find healthier and happier connections with others.

How long does a narcissist stay in love for? ›

According to Dr. Darlene Lancer, many narcissists can only sustain a relationship for six months to a few years (at the most). Keep in mind, though, we're talking about one four-stage cycle. Too often, a narcissist will initiate the cycle again, training their target to expect them to come back.

Will a narcissist let you go? ›

Breakups with narcissists don't always end the relationship. Many won't let you go, even when they are the ones who left the relationship, and even when they're with a new partner. They won't accept “no.” They hoover in an attempt to rekindle the relationship or stay friends after a breakup or divorce.

Does my narcissistic ex think about me? ›

It's true: Your narcissistic ex will remember you but not — never — in the way you hope they will, as the “great love of their life”. Most of the time they won't even think about you and you know why: They're too busy spinning their web to snare the next unsuspecting spider.

How do you know if a narcissist is finished with you? ›

There are early sometimes subtle signs the narcissist may be finished with you and more obvious absolute signals. The narcissist often ignores what you say almost as if you never spoke. The narcissist stops texting back to you or delays for days. The narcissist does not make eye contact with you.

How does a narcissist behaves after a breakup? ›

People with high levels of narcissistic admiration experienced less anxiety and sadness after a breakup and maintained positive perceptions of their exes. They were also more likely to initiate a breakup and attribute it to their lack of interest in their ex.

What do narcissists do when broken up with? ›

MD. At the end of a relationship, a narcissist will often spiral down a long-winded gauntlet of manipulation tactics. They may blame you for causing the relationship to fail, work hard to keep you to stay with them, make lofty promises to change their behavior, or badmouth you to everyone around them.

Do narcissists get heartbroken? ›

While people with narcissism aren't devoid of emotions, their motivations may be self-focused. They can know they're hurting your feelings, but as long as it elevates their status, they may not care. Someone living with narcissism does cry. They can feel regret, remorse, and sadness.

Who does a narcissist fall in love with? ›

The unfortunate truth is that narcissists do not really fall in love with people. They fall in love with their projections of whomever they currently idealize as the perfect mate. They can sound convincingly in love, but that is because they temporarily believe in the fantasy version of you created in their mind.

Do narcissists feel the trauma bond? ›

Do Narcissists Also Feel the Trauma Bond? Abusive narcissists likely do feel the bond too, but differently. It's so confusing for anyone in a relationship with a narcissist who's abusive to understand why they continue to hurt them, even when they say they love them.

What are the stages of a narcissistic breakup? ›

The relationship cycle typical of extreme narcissistic abuse generally follows a pattern. Individuals in emotionally abusive relationships experience a dizzying whirlwind that includes three stages: idealization, devaluing, and discarding.

Is it easy for a narcissist to move on? ›

Long term exposure to abuse can therefore lead to new neural pathways being formed which simply bypass emotions completely. It's protective evolution of the brain. And means that narcissists never feel hurt, pain or love. Therefore they can move on without a care in the world.

Do narcissists just move on? ›

They WILL move on quickly because narcissists tend to view other people (including their partners) as conveniences — and once you are no longer useful, they will move on.

How does a narcissist act in a new relationship? ›

Narcissistic partners act as if they are always right, that they know better and that their partner is wrong or incompetent. This often leaves the other person in the relationship either angry and trying to defend themselves or identifying with this negative self-image and feeling badly about themselves.

How a narcissist treats his girlfriend? ›

Narcissists view partners as trophies under their power and may expect partners to show deference and adoring behavior throughout the relationship. Manipulation of a partner is emotional abuse, and narcissists resort to some pretty low behaviors if they feel that they are losing their hold on a partner.

Can a narcissist change and fall in love? ›

It is a complicated mental illness centering on an individual's inflated sense of self-importance accompanied by a lack of empathy for other people. While this is an intimidating definition, narcissistic individuals can and do fall in love and commit to romantic involvements.

What bores a narcissist? ›

Dr. Ramani relates the boredom factor associated with narcissists to the concept of love-bombing, where a narcissistic person treats you like a novelty, showering you with love, affection, and possibly gifts early on in a relationship, only to withdraw as the novelty fades.

How do you let go of a narcissistic relationship? ›

How to get over a narcissist
  1. Stop obsessing.
  2. Avoid trying to rationalize.
  3. Find ways to cope with your anxiety.
  4. Keep busy.
  5. Don't blame yourself.
  6. Focus on self-love.
  7. Prioritize your pleasure.
  8. Acknowledge your jealousy.

Will a narcissist contact you years later? ›

A narcissist will wait months or even years until you've almost forgotten them and can think of them without fear. If the narcissist in your life is an ex, they may wait until the relationship you had after them has ended to strike. The narcissist wants you to be desperate enough to give them a second chance.

What is perfect supply to a narcissist? ›

Narcissists seek out an endless supply of validation, attention, and praise to compensate for low self esteem, confidence, and a perceived lack of acceptance that's often a result of early childhood trauma and attachment issues.

What happens when a narcissist is desperate for supply? ›

When deprived of Narcissistic Supply - both primary AND secondary - the narcissist feels annulled, hollowed out, or mentally disembowelled. This is an overpowering sense of evaporation, disintegration into molecules of terrified anguish, helplessly and inexorably.

What are examples of narcissistic supply? ›

The primary narcissistic supply is based on attention in both its public forms such as recognition, fame, infamy, stardom, and its private, more interpersonal, types of praise, admiration, applause, fear, and repulsion.

What is secondary supply to a narcissist? ›

Secondary Narcissistic Supply pertains to those people that are a constant presence in the narcissists life. They provide the narcissist with regular supply (i.e. spouse, children, subordinates and dependents, friends, family, colleagues, etc.), and are strictly for backup purposes.

Is this the final discard? ›

The truth is that the discard is final when you decide that you are done with the toxic relationship and done with the narcissist. If you want the narcissist out and want it to be over, you have to be the one to put an end to it. You can go no contact with them and never consider going back.

What percentage of rebound relationships last? ›

That's why the average length of rebound relationships is not beyond the first few months. On average, 90% of rebound relationships fail within the first three months, if we talk about the rebound relationship time frame. PART ONE: Can a Rebound Relationship Last?

Is it a rebound relationship after 3 months? ›

If it's been a relatively short amount of time (it's all relative, but I like to say three months or less), since the breakup/last time he/she spoke with you… It's highly likely that this is a rebound relationship.

How long does the honeymoon phase last in a rebound relationship? ›

The Honeymoon Stage

When that happens, they reach stage two of a rebound relationship — considering that their new relationship is, in fact, a rebound — called The Honeymoon Stage. The Honeymoon Stage lasts anywhere from 6 months to one year, and during it, a person is unable to get enough of their new partner.

How long should you stay single after a breakup? ›

"Most people need a month or two to process the breakup, to mourn, and to integrate lessons before jumping back in if they were in a fairly serious relationship," she says. If you dated someone for a year or more, you may need three to four months.

What is the psychology behind a rebound? ›

A rebound relationship may mitigate the hurt, shame, and pain of a break-up. Nevertheless, when a person loses a connection, it is through connecting that recovery takes place. Focusing on someone new, according to the limited research on the subject of rebound relationships, can help a person recover from a break-up.

What are the dangers of a rebound relationship? ›

Possible negative dynamics and consequences of an unhealthy rebound relationship may include: Entering into partnership based on weakness rather than strength. Increased emotional dependency or co-dependency. Psychological vulnerability to being manipulated.

What is the 3 month rule? ›

People in new relationships should wait three months before thinking long-term. Important discoveries about another are usually made in that three-month period. Don't bother worrying if a man is husband-material until you really know him.

What is the 3 month rule after break up? ›

What the post-breakup 3-month rule basically means is that all parties previously linked must wait three months before dating again. The reason for this societal dictation is to give the people involved a breather, some lead time, maybe a little room for forgiveness.

Is 3 months no contact too long? ›

While 30 days is a good rule of thumb, everybody is different. Some people move on really fast after a breakup, while other people take a long time. If 30 days pass and you still aren't ready, it's totally okay to extend your period of no contact.

Can rebounds last over a year? ›

Rebound relationships, in most cases, last from a few months to a year. They usually don't last in the long term because the rebounding partner has not moved on from their previous partner. In rare cases, they may last for years – it depends on the understanding between the partners.

What are the 5 stages of rebound relationship? ›

6 stages of a rebound relationship
  • Stage one: You feel cut off from reaching your partner emotionally.
  • Stage two: They talk a lot about their ex.
  • Stage three: You are excited to be dating someone new.
  • Stage four: They get very upset when talking about their ex.
May 12, 2022

Does no contact work if your ex is in a rebound? ›

If your ex got into a rebound relationship after your breakup, you may be thinking you've lost all your chances of making no contact work. Not so. A rebound relationship is, by definition, not as solid or genuine as the relationship that you and your ex shared.

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