{"id":1825,"date":"2022-07-01T09:19:54","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T13:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thecelebritytherapist\/?p=1825"},"modified":"2022-12-25T14:08:56","modified_gmt":"2022-12-25T19:08:56","slug":"recognizing-the-difference-between-real-love-and-love-bombing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/thecelebritytherapist\/2022\/07\/recognizing-the-difference-between-real-love-and-love-bombing.html","title":{"rendered":"Recognizing The Difference Between Real Love And Love Bombing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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\"\"Everyone dreams of their ideal partner. In these dreams, the ideal partner comes into their life and becomes the answer to all of their problems and the person to fill their life with love, happiness, and joy at being together.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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Being in true love is a fantastic experience. Science now understands more of those initial feelings of instant connection and attraction to potential partners as the release of dopamine in parts of the brain that create wellness and feel-good experiences. At the same time, oxytocin and vasopressin levels increase, which increases the sensation of attachment and need for physical presence, as well as the sense of trust and empathy with the other person.<\/div>\n
These natural changes in brain chemistry make people want to be with each other, to bring happiness to the other person, and to be excited and motivated to spend time together. It is normal and healthy in a new relationship, as long as both people are actually experiencing this sense of love at the emotional and physiological level.<\/div>\n
Unfortunately, there are people who create this sense of being in love as a manipulation of the partner. This is a process known as love bombing. It focuses on overwhelming the partner with words, gifts, behaviors, and actions to manipulate you into believing they are as much in the relationship as you are.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Signs of Being Love Bombed\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Love bombing is a strategic, manipulative, and emotionally disingenuous behavior by the partner. Typically love bombing includes all of these behaviors, and they are done frequently.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Constant compliments \u2013 these are over-the-top compliments on even the smallest things. This is often done in public and in private.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You are perfect \u2013 this is not just an endearing statement every now and then. The partner constantly repeats you are perfect, the best person, and the only person for them, even if you are just starting your dating relationship.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Extreme gifting \u2013 large gifts are common, including trips, expensive jewelry, weekends away, or even flowers delivered daily to your home or place of work.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cannot manage without you \u2013 while it may seem cute at first, these people cannot be on their own without you. They make you feel guilty for spending time with friends and family.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Constantly sending messages \u2013 love bombing can be done through text messaging as well. Constant love messages throughout the day with the expectation of a response in kind is a red flag for love bombing.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Social media posts \u2013 a partner that gets online and makes public declarations of love, post your picture together constantly, or follows and comments on every one of your posts with a love message or a personal message are also signs of love bombing.<\/div>\n
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What to Do About Love Bombing\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
People who engage in love bombing may simply lack boundaries, or they may be narcissists or people with other interpersonal relationships challenges. There are few ways to try to diffuse a love bomber, or at least determine if they are willing to work on changing their behavior.<\/div>\n
A few tips to try to work with a love bomber and end the behavior in the relationship include:<\/div>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Set boundaries \u2013 talk about what you will accept and what crosses the line. For example, discuss the frequency or value of gifts, the number of texts or calls per day, or the time you will spend together and apart. If the individual cannot respect these boundaries, it is important to consider the long-term sustainability of the relationship.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Be realistic about your needs \u2013 stay connected to friends and family. Spend time away from the love bomber and be comfortable in your independence. You are not responsible for their emotional happiness, especially in the early few days or weeks of a relationship.<\/div>\n
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\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Meet with friends \u2013 limit your time alone with the person and instead make things group events with your friends. This provides you with emotional support and observers to events.<\/div>\n
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Finally, be aware the earlier you address love bombing, the easier it is to end the relationship and move on. Love bombing only lasts for a short time, and when it ends, a cycle of emotional abuse is typically the next stage in the relationship.\u00a0If you are struggling with a toxic or codependent relationship, check out my\u00a0online membership<\/a>\u00a0for healing toxic love and dating. \u00a0For a limited time $1 trial to join.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Sherry Gaba, LCSW and Transformation Coach<\/em><\/p>\n

Author of\u00a0Love Smacked:How to Stop the Cycle of Relationship Addiction and Codependency to find Everlasting Love<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n
And\u00a0Wake Up Recovery for Toxic Relationships, Codependency and Love Addiction<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everyone dreams of their ideal partner. In these dreams, the ideal partner comes into their life and becomes the answer to all of their problems and the person to fill their life with love, happiness, and joy at being together.\u00a0 Being in true love is a fantastic experience. Science now understands more of those initial…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":402,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nRecognizing The Difference Between Real Love And Love Bombing - The Celebrity Therapist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Recognizing The Difference Between Real Love And Love Bombing - The Celebrity Therapist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Everyone dreams of their ideal partner. 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