When we think of love bombing, romantic relationships often come to mind. But this manipulative tactic can happen in friendships too.
Love bombing is when someone showers you with excessive attention and affection to gain control over you.
Recognizing these warning signs early can help you maintain healthy friendships and protect your emotional wellbeing.
1. Overwhelming Praise That Feels Insincere
Your new friend constantly tells you you’re the most amazing person they’ve ever met. They shower you with compliments about your intelligence, appearance, or personality in ways that feel over-the-top compared to how well they actually know you.
This excessive flattery creates an artificial high that can cloud your judgment. You might feel special at first, but notice the praise doesn’t match your actual interactions or relationship depth.
Remember that genuine compliments develop naturally as people get to know each other. If someone’s constantly putting you on a pedestal after just meeting you, they might be trying to quickly establish an emotional dependency.
2. Lavish Gifts With Strings Attached
“I saw this and immediately thought of you!” they exclaim, handing over yet another expensive gift despite knowing you for just two weeks. These presents often feel disproportionate to your friendship’s length or depth.
Unlike thoughtful gestures from established friends, love bombers use gifts strategically. They create a sense of obligation that makes it harder for you to establish boundaries later.
Watch for subtle comments that remind you of their generosity or suggestions that you owe them something in return. Genuine gift-giving comes without expectations, while love bombing gifts serve as invisible contracts.
3. Rushing Into Deep Emotional Territory
After just a few casual hangouts, they’re already calling you their “best friend” and sharing deeply personal traumas. This friend seems to skip the natural getting-to-know-you phase entirely, pushing for instant intimacy.
They might text constantly, expecting immediate responses, or use phrases like “I’ve never connected with anyone like this before.” The relationship feels like it’s moving at warp speed compared to your other friendships. Healthy friendships develop gradually, with mutual disclosure that builds over time.
Someone pushing for immediate emotional intimacy may be creating artificial closeness to establish control rather than genuine connection.
4. Jealousy When You Spend Time With Others
“You’re hanging out with Sarah again? I thought we had something special.” Your friend’s disappointed tone makes you feel guilty for having other relationships. What started as flattering attention has morphed into possessiveness.
Love bombers often attempt to isolate you by making dramatic statements about feeling abandoned when you’re with others. They might create emergencies when you have plans or subtly criticize your other friends.
Healthy friendships encourage your connections with others rather than competing for exclusivity. If you find yourself canceling plans to avoid their disappointment or explaining your social calendar defensively, your friend may be using love bombing tactics.
5. Disrespect For Your Personal Boundaries
“But I thought we told each other everything!” they protest when you mention needing some space. A love bombing friend treats your boundaries as personal rejections rather than normal aspects of healthy relationships.
They might show up unannounced, contact your family members without permission, or share your personal information with others. When you express discomfort, they flip between making you feel guilty and showering you with renewed attention.
True friends respect your need for privacy, personal time, and individual relationships. Someone who consistently tramples boundaries is likely more interested in controlling the friendship than nurturing it.
