Love bombing is a form of psychological and emotional abuse that is often disguised as excessive flattery. Love bombing looks different in every relationship, but there are signs that you can look out for, including:
- Over communication of their feelings for you
- Early and intense talks about your future together
- Showering you with unneeded/unwanted gifts
- Wanting to know everything about you right away
- Needing constant validation
- Intense declarations of love
- Intense clinginess
- Jealousy
- Overwhelming compliments and attention
- Ignoring your boundaries
- Excessively following your whereabouts
- Reminding you of how “good you are together”
It is important to remember that love bombing can occur in any relationship, whether that be in romantic relationships, friendships or family members. Love bombing can often occur due a person’s insecurity, inability to trust or their dependence on others. However, love bombing can be a tactic of abuse and coercive control and may be intention or unintentional. Love bombing creates an idealised version of the love bomber, and when their “true colours” begin to show, the victim will often strive to return to that idealised nature of the relationship.
Love bombings tends to occur in three phases:
- Idealisation phase. This occurs when your partner showers you with excessive love and affection in order to draw you in.
- Devaluation phase. This is where red flags may start to appear and your partner may try to exert control over you, may start to manipulate you or may even resort to physical violence
- Discard phase. This occurs when your partner may avoid accountability when you confront them about the behaviour
It can be very difficult to accept that you may be in an abusive relationship and escaping domestic violence is not easy, but it is important to remember that help is available for you to access the support that you deserve to ensure that you are safe away from your abuser.
We can help
If you feel you are a victim of domestic abuse, please do not hesitate to reach out on any of the contact numbers provided below.
Here at Ringrose Law, we offer a 24-Hour Domestic Abuse Helpline on 07739 748675. Alternatively, you can email to access the support you need.
National Centre for Domestic Violence: 0800 970 2070 or alternatively text “NCDV” to 60777.
Lincolnshire Police: 101 or 999 in an emergency