Love bombing is a tactic used by some people, often in romantic relationships, to overwhelm their partner with affection, attention, and flattery to gain control or manipulate them.
These characteristics point out people with a narcissistic personality disorder or sociopathic tendencies.
What does love bombing look like?
An example of a love bombing might be a romantic partner who starts a relationship by showering the other person with constant texts, calls, and surprises.
They may express their love and devotion excessively, buy personalized gifts, and make grand romantic gestures.
They may also become very jealous and possessive, demanding constant attention and trying to isolate the person from their friends and family.
At first, the person being love-bombed may feel flattered and swept off their feet, but as time goes on, they may start to feel suffocated and controlled by their partner's constant demands and possessiveness. They may also feel guilty for not reciprocating the love and affection in the same way.
Emotionally & psychologically damaging love bombing
"Love bombing" isn't good because:
- It is a form of manipulation where the love bomber uses excessive affection and attention to control the other person.
- It can lead the person being love bombed to become emotionally dependent on the love bomber, making it difficult for them to leave the relationship.
- It can convey a toxic or abusive relationship, where the love bomber's ultimate goal is to gain power and control over the other person.
- The sudden and intense nature of a love bombing can be overwhelming and disorienting for the person being love bombed.
- It can lead to confusion, self-doubt, and emotional distress for the person being love-bombed as their feelings and reality aren't parallel.
- It can lead to trust issues for the person being love-bombed and may make it hard for them to trust anyone in the future.
- The love bombing can suddenly stop, leading to a feeling of abandonment, rejection, and emotional pain.
- It can damage the person's self-esteem and self-worth and may lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Also Check: Red Flags To Look Out For In An Early Relationship And Dating
Save yourself from falling into the trap
Here are a few ways to avoid falling into a love-bombing trap:
- Be wary of excessive and intense displays of affection, attention, and praise from someone you've just met or recently started a relationship with.
- Take your time getting to know someone before committing to a relationship.
- Pay attention to red flags such as controlling behavior, jealousy, and an unwillingness to respect boundaries.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's critical to address it and not ignore your concerns.
- Communicate your boundaries clearly and assertively. Love bombing can often occur when boundaries are not respected.
- Seek advice and support from friends, family, or professional help, if you think you are in an emotionally or psychologically damaging relationship.
- Be mindful of the emotional state you are in when you are getting to know someone. When you are feeling vulnerable, you may be more susceptible to love bombing.
Remember, a healthy relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and open communication, not manipulation and control.
Seek a valid perspective
If you are in a relationship where everything appears too good to be true, but you still have a lot of doubts, you won't benefit from harboring them or obsessing over them.
Get emotional support and a balanced viewpoint from a professional by speaking with a therapist on The Wellness Corner. In this way, much of your skepticism will vanish.
