Love bombing is a form of emotional manipulation disguised as intense affection and attention, often used by individuals to gain control in a relationship. While it may initially feel flattering and exciting, love bombing can quickly turn into an unhealthy dynamic. Understanding what love bombing entails and recognizing its signs can help you protect yourself from potential harm says India’s top couples therapist and relationship counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.
What Is Love Bombing?
Love bombing typically occurs at the beginning of a relationship, where one person showers the other with excessive love, attention, and gifts. It is often a tactic used by narcissists or individuals with controlling tendencies to create an emotional dependency. By overwhelming you with affection, the love bomber seeks to establish control, making it harder for you to spot red flags or exit the relationship later.
This behaviour is not rooted in genuine love but rather in manipulation. Once the love bomber feels they have you emotionally hooked, their behaviour may shift drastically, revealing controlling, neglectful, or even abusive tendencies.

What are the Signs of Love Bombing?
Recognizing the signs of love bombing early can help you differentiate between genuine affection and manipulation. Here are some key indicators:
Excessive Compliments and Flattery
The love bomber frequently praises you in an over-the-top manner, often comparing you to perfection. While compliments are normal in relationships, love bombers use them excessively to make you feel special and dependent on their approval.
Over-the-Top Gestures
Grandiose displays of affection, such as expensive gifts, extravagant dates, or constant declarations of love, are common. These gestures are often disproportionate to the stage of the relationship.
Fast-Paced Relationship
A love bomber pushes for quick commitments, such as moving in together, getting engaged, or saying “I love you” early on. This fast pace leaves little room for you to evaluate the relationship critically.
Constant Communication
They flood you with texts, calls, and messages throughout the day, making it difficult for you to focus on your own life. This constant attention may initially feel romantic but can become suffocating over time.
Isolation from Friends and Family
Love bombers may subtly discourage you from spending time with loved ones, positioning themselves as the only person you can rely on. This isolation makes you more dependent on them.
Mood Swings and Guilt-Tripping
Once the initial phase of intense affection ends, the love bomber may exhibit sudden mood swings, becoming critical or distant. They might guilt-trip you into staying by implying you owe them for their earlier efforts.
How to Protect Yourself?
If you suspect love bombing, take these steps to safeguard your emotional well-being:
- Set Boundaries: Clearly define your limits and ensure they are respected.
- Take Things Slow: Avoid rushing into commitments, even if the other person insists.
- Seek Support: Stay connected with friends and family who can provide an outside perspective.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, don’t ignore it.
Love bombing can be a confusing and emotionally draining experience. By understanding its signs and maintaining self-awareness, you can protect yourself and cultivate healthy, balanced relationships.

Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counselor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute . She is trained on specialized key relationship counseling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialized training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counselors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practices independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.