What is love-bombing? A therapist explains the red flags and real intentions
Love-bombing may seem romantic at first — but it can be a manipulation tactic. Learn what love-bombing really means, its warning signs, and how to protect yourself, according to a therapist.
By Leanna Stockard, MA, LMFT for LifeStance HealthOct. 7 2025, Published 12:19 p.m. ET
What is love-bombing? A therapist explains the red flags and real intentions
What is love-bombing? A therapist explains the red flags and real intentions
The term “lovebombing” has become a buzzword in today’s conversations about modern relationships. It pops up in social media captions, dating advice blogs and even casual conversations between friends. While it might sound like a trendy phrase, lovebombing describes a real and often harmful behavior pattern: one that can leave people feeling confused, overwhelmed and emotionally off balance.
In this article, LifeStance Health explores what lovebombing really means, why people do it, the red flags to watch for and how to tell the difference between genuine interest and emotional manipulation.
Lovebombing meaning: What is it, really?
Lovebombing is when someone gives overwhelming attention, affection or gifts early in a relationship to gain control or emotional influence over another person. On the surface, it can look like intense romance, but the goal is often to fast-track emotional closeness for selfish reasons.
If you’ve ever felt smothered by constant compliments, nonstop texts or grand romantic gestures from someone you barely know, you may have been lovebombed.
Why do people lovebomb?
People lovebomb for different reasons. In some cases, it’s intentionally used to gain power, admiration or loyalty quickly. In other cases, the person may not even realize what they’re doing. They may have deep fears of abandonment or unresolved trauma and rush intimacy to feel secure.
While not everyone who lovebombs is a manipulator, the behavior itself can be emotionally harmful, even if it starts with good intentions.
How lovebombing works
Here’s how the lovebombing pattern usually plays out:
- Step 1: Idealization
You’re showered with praise, affection and attention. They say things like, “I’ve never felt this way before” or “You’re the one” after just a few dates. - Step 2: Dependence
The constant attention feels flattering at first, but it also creates emotional dependency. You might start feeling guilty for wanting space or needing boundaries. - Step 3: Withdrawal or Control
Once you're emotionally invested, the tone may shift. The affection slows down. They might become critical, distant or even manipulative, leaving you confused and off balance.
Red flags of lovebombing
It can be hard to spot lovebombing when you're in the middle of it. Here are some common red flags to watch for:
- They talk about your future together way too soon
- They text or call excessively and expect constant responses
- They shower you with expensive gifts or over-the-top gestures early into the relationship
- They pressure you to commit quickly or call you their soulmate right away
- They become upset or distant when you try to set healthy boundaries
- They want to isolate you from friends or loved ones
- You feel emotionally drained, confused or anxious around them
Lovebombing vs. genuine interest: how to tell the difference
So how do you know if someone is genuinely interested in you or trying to manipulate your emotions?
Here are some key differences:
A healthy connection takes time to grow. Real love respects your space, your limits and your individuality.
What to do if you’ve been lovebombed
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and you shouldn’t feel guilty for getting caught in the excitement. Lovebombing can be incredibly convincing, especially when it mimics true affection.
Here’s what you can do:
- Pause and reflect — Are your needs and feelings being respected?
- Set boundaries — A healthy partner will accept and honor them.
- Talk to someone you trust — Friends, family or a therapist can help you gain clarity.
- Seek professional support — A therapist can help you process what happened and build healthier relationship patterns moving forward.
Final thoughts: you deserve safe, balanced love
If your gut feeling about a partner tells you something is off, you're not alone in wanting to make sense of it. Many people start researching behaviors that feel intense or confusing, especially when a relationship moves too fast, too soon. For instance, a Reddit thread titled “What constitutes love bombing early in a dating relationship?” had thousands of views and comments.
It was striking to see not just how many people were engaging, but how varied and insightful the responses were. Some shared personal stories, others analyzed behaviors in detail and many were simply trying to understand: Is this love? Or is this manipulation? That kind of crowdsourced reflection can be validating and shows how common these questions are.
Still, when you're in the middle of an emotionally charged situation, it can be hard to know what applies to you. That’s when talking to a therapist can make a real difference. Therapy offers a dedicated, supportive space to explore your feelings, sort through red flags and understand what healthy love looks like for you.
You don’t have to rely on strangers online to validate your experience, though their insights can sometimes be helpful. A therapist can help you move from confusion to clarity, and support you in building relationships that feel balanced, respectful and safe.
This story was produced by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
