Psychologists Have Identified the Signs of "Love Bombing" in Relationships
Excessive attention, constant compliments, flowers, lavish dates, and hasty talk of a shared future early in a relationship can be signs of “love bombing”—a behavior that sometimes precedes emotional manipulation and control. Channel NewsAsia reports this, citing an article in The New York Times and comments from psychologists.
Clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, a professor emerita at California State University, Los Angeles, described love bombing as idealization and seduction that can pave the way for emotional manipulation and control. According to her, it can be difficult to distinguish this behavior from genuine interest in the early stages of a relationship.
Psychologist Chitra Ragavan of John Jay College of Criminal Justice noted that a person may shower a new partner with compliments, insisting that only they are capable of seeing the partner’s uniqueness. Such words may be aimed at personal vulnerabilities, such as insecurity about one’s appearance or intelligence.
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Among other possible red flags, experts cited persistent calls and messages, a desire to see each other every day, visits to the workplace, as well as early conversations about marriage, children, or moving in together. According to Ragavan, such intense attention can overwhelm a person, leaving them no time to consider whether the pace of the relationship is comfortable for them.
At the same time, psychologists emphasize that not everyone who exhibits such behavior goes on to commit violence, and their motives cannot always be determined with certainty. Amy Brunell of Ohio State University said that love bombing is often, though not always, associated with narcissistic traits, particularly a sense of entitlement to special treatment.
Experts advise being wary if a partner reacts negatively to personal boundaries, friendships, or another person’s interests, or demands proof of devotion. According to Brunell, a person may also stop calling or texting for a few days, hoping to cause panic and receive reassurance of their partner’s feelings. Ending such a relationship, according to Durvasula, is sometimes accompanied by angry messages, insults, or stalking.
