Having converted the external object (YOU) into an internal one, the narcissist retains and needs the presence of the external object for 3 reasons:
1. In order to convince themselves that they are not delusional;
2. To allay separation insecurity (abandonment anxiety); and
3. So as to be able to transition through the phases of the shared fantasy: whenever the external object diverges from the internal one, they modify the latter.
Even so, they are interacting exclusively with the representations of the external objects in their minds.
Both idealized and persecutory objects are introjects.
Narcissists idealize and devalue as stages in the compulsive shared fantasy.
Borderlines possess introject inconstancy. This is why Borderlines vacillate between idealizing and devaluing the partner so frequently: she cannot maintain a stable idealized or persecutory introject.
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