What Is Love Bombing? How GenZ Is Getting Caught In This Toxic Emotional Trap, How To Save Yourself!

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The rise of dating apps has transformed how Gen Z and millennials perceive love and relationships. Terms like breadcrumbing, ghost, and orbiting have become part of everyday language.

However, recently, love bombing has gained attention in the dating scene. But what exactly is love bombing, and why does it feel like a waste of time?

What Is Love Bombing?

If someone showers you with excessive affection and attention to manipulate you, that's "love bombing." Initially, this overwhelming love might seem positive in a new relationship. However, it can lead to gaslighting and even abuse. Leanna Stockard, a certified marriage and family therapist at LifeStance Health, explained to that manipulators use tactics like overly sharing their desire to be with you and prioritizing you before truly knowing you.

Stockard notes that these behaviors create an illusion of affection and devotion for a new partner. Eventually, the manipulator exploits the partner's vulnerability and builds trust. She adds that love bombing makes a person feel they must have done something wrong for the initial love to be withdrawn, driving them to do anything to regain it.

Stages Of Love Bombing

Despite its recent viral status, the phrase has been used in psychology since the 1970s to describe recruitment strategies used by cults and religious organizations. Love bombing is not limited to romantic relationships; it can also occur in business and friendship contexts as a means to gain favor and avoid trouble.

There are three main stages of love bombing to watch out for.

1. The first stage involves making you feel like you're the greatest thing on earth. This flattery can be overwhelming as everything moves quickly.

2. The second stage is devaluation; your partner may spoil you one moment and ignore or mistreat you the next. They often show affection publicly but become vicious when alone.

3. The third stage is discarded. Here, the manipulator doesn't take responsibility for their actions. If you question their behavior or point out the toxicity, they will cut ties completely.

Recognizing these stages can help identify a love bomber early on. In relationships or friendships, if someone doesn't do anything halfway and everything seems rushed, it's a red flag.

"The best way to identify a love bomber is if the person in question does not do anything halfway," says Stockard. "In the first stages of a relationship or friendship, they make you feel as though you are the greatest thing on earth."

Love bombing can leave individuals feeling confused and desperate to regain lost affection. It's crucial to recognize these signs early to protect oneself from emotional manipulation.

Understanding these dynamics helps individuals navigate modern dating more safely. Awareness of terms like love bombing empowers people to make informed decisions about their relationships. By being vigilant about these behaviors, one can avoid falling into manipulative traps set by love bombers.