Love Bombing Signs: Sometimes, a new relationship starts so fast that it becomes difficult to tell whether it is love or something strange. In the beginning, everything seems like something out of a movie – lots of messages, lots of attention, frequent surprises, and big acts that make you feel very special. But if you feel a little uneasy amidst this intense love, then it is important to ask yourself, could this be love bombing? Let's understand when this happens.
Love bombing is a situation where someone showers you with excessive love, attention and gifts in order to quickly win your trust. At first, it feels good, but the real purpose is to control you. Psychologists explain that this is a form of mental and emotional abuse that often begins in the early stages of a relationship.
Initially, a love bomber floods you with compliments and attention. They constantly text, call, and demand your presence at all times. Often, within the first few weeks they start talking about the future, like marriage, moving in together, or whether you two are meant for each other. Initially, it seems romantic, but over time, it starts to feel like pressure.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are three distinct stages of love bombing. In the first stage, you are so loved and valued that you become carefree, you feel completely safe. In the second stage, control gradually begins—expectations to be present at all times, attempts to isolate you from friends and family, and questioning your activities. Sometimes, it reaches to gaslighting, where you start doubting your own feelings. In the third step, when you start setting boundaries, this partner either starts blaming you or ends the relationship.
It is very important to recognize the difference between love and love bombing. A healthy relationship respects your time, boundaries, and comfort. But a love bomber doesn't accept your "no". If you set a boundary and the other person argues with it, ignores it, or blames you, it's a clear sign that the relationship is going in an unhealthy direction. Some common signs of love bombing include giving unnecessarily expensive gifts, taking the relationship too quickly, demanding constant attention, jealous and controlling behavior, and disrespecting your boundaries.
