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Excessive questions -

A common trait of love bombers is that they want to know everything about you straight away. They may bombard you with questions to the point where you feel uncomfortable.

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Excessive questions -

At first it might seem like the person is just really into you, but in reality they are looking for sensitive information that they can then use to manipulate you further down the line.

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Excessive sharing -

Similarly, a love bomber may share lots of their own personal details with you far too quickly. You could find out all their childhood trauma on your second date, for example.

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Excessive sharing -

By sharing this private information with you, love bombers attempt to establish empathy and closeness. They want you to feel closer to them than you really are.

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Constant validation -

Another hallmark of love bombers is that they look for constant validation. No matter how much you compliment them, it will never be enough.

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Constant validation -

People who love bomb are generally very insecure and this constant validation serves to boost their fragile self-esteem. It can be very exhausting.

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Intense love declarations -

Love bombers also tend to make very intense declarations of love. They might say you are soulmates on the second date, for example, or tell you that they can’t live without you.

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Intense love declarations -

They might remind you of their love in every conversation, or post all about it on social media. Declarations may get more intense as the relationship goes on.

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Pressure to commit -

Next up is pressure to commit. Someone who love bombs will probably be ready to make things official very quickly, and they may pressure you into feeling the same.

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Pressure to commit -

Of course, healthy relationships can move at different paces. If you feel constantly pressured to commit when you’re not ready, however, you should see it as a red flag.

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Always saying the right thing -

Love bombers often have a high level of social intelligence, and they are often able to say the right thing at the right time. At the beginning, their ability to comfort you can feel like a rare gift.

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Always saying the right thing -

Over time, however, this can start to feel a little disingenuous. After all, real love isn’t perfect, no matter how perfect a love bomber strives to be.

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Clinginess -

Another characteristic of love bombers is that they want to spend every minute with you. When they’re with you they are clingy, and when they’re away from you they text or call non-stop.

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Clinginess -

Clinginess is often a result of insecurity, and love bombers want to make sure that even if you are not physically with them, they still have your undivided attention.

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Lavish gifts -

Lavish gifts are another favorite of people who love bomb. Of course, we all like to receive presents, but love bombers’ gifts tend to be over the top to the point that it’s awkward.

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Lavish gifts -

While gift giving can be an expression of love, it can also be used as a manipulation tool. Sometimes people give gifts in the hope that others will feel indebted.

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Extreme jealousy -

Extreme jealousy is another love bombing trait. Not only does the person get upset when you spend time with others, but they don’t like it when you work or pursue your hobbies either.

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Extreme jealousy -

Jealousy in relationships is common, and a little is not always harmful. Persistent and intense jealousy, however, is manipulative and can be very destructive.

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Excessive compliments -

In addition to showering you with gifts, a love bomber may shower you with compliments. If you are being love bombed, you can be expect to be complimented all the time.

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Excessive compliments -

While compliments are great, in this context they can feel insincere because they are coming towards you at all times and from all directions.

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Constant surveillance -

At its core, love bombing is about control, and in order to exercise that control a love bomber will want to know exactly where you are all the time.

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Constant surveillance -

Bear in mind that it is healthy to spend time away from your partner, and if they are always asking where you are and who you’re with, it is a clear red flag for love bombing.

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Crossing boundaries -

The sad truth about love bombers is that, deep down, they don’t care about you. As a result, they won’t respect your boundaries and will do whatever it takes to get what they want.

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Crossing boundaries -

Bear in mind that your boundaries are in place to keep you healthy and safe, but a love bomber will ignore them provided their actions serve their own agenda.

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No responsibility -

If you have a bad argument, a common tactic of love bombers is to steer the conversation towards the idea that ultimately you guys are great together.

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No responsibility -

This is a tactic that love bombers often use to control their partners and avoid taking any real responsibility for their actions.

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Oversensitive to criticism -

People who love bomb also tend to lash out when criticized for their behavior. Narcissists may even fly into a narcissistic rage.

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Oversensitive to criticism -

The purpose of this anger is to distract you from their love bombing behavior, since even the slightest criticism can expose their true, cruel intentions.

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No responsibility for past relationships -

Finally, love bombers never take responsibility for their previous relationships. If you ask about why one of their previous relationships failed, it was always the other person’s fault.

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No responsibility for past relationships -

A love bomber may drag their exes' names through the mud, even describing previous partners as abusive, when in reality they were the abusers.

Sources: (ChoosingTherapy.com) (Cosmopolitan)

See also: Identifying conversational patterns: are you a conversational narcissist?

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