The four phases of the narcissistic abuse cycle: idealization, devaluation, discard, & hoovering, explained by a coercive trauma specialist.
Hoovering
Hoovering is a term used in narcissistic abuse to describe the manipulative behavior of abusers attempting to draw their victims back into the relationship after a period of discard or separation. It involves various tactics such as love bombing, false apologies, or feigned remorse to regain control and maintain their influence over the victim. Hoovering aims to reestablish the abusive dynamic and perpetuate the cycle of abuse.
The hoovering phase is the fourth stage of the narcissistic abuse cycle. Learn the tactics, the neurobiology, and how to respond.