Quizzes Am I Being Love-Bombed? Take the Quiz Is it healthy love or are you being love-bombed? By Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics. Learn about our editorial process Published on April 04, 2024 Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by mental health professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ivy Kwong, LMFT Reviewed by Ivy Kwong, LMFT Ivy Kwong, LMFT, is a psychotherapist specializing in relationships, love and intimacy, trauma and codependency, and AAPI mental health. Learn about our Review Board Print skynesher / E+ / Getty Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Who Is This Love Bombing Test For? What Is Love Bombing? Can You Salvage a Love Bomb Relationship? Close It’s easy to get swept up in the allure and romance of a brand new relationship. But where’s the line between those excited feelings and straight up love bombing? Our free love bombing test will help you find some clarity. Who Is This Love Bombing Test For? This love bombing quiz is for anyone who’s curious about whether the dynamic of their new romantic relationship is healthy, or if it’s veering into questionable territory. You’ll be able to gain some clarity about whether you’re getting love bombed so you can make informed decisions about how to move forward with this connection. “Love-bombing is incredibly seductive. When we want to find love, someone showering us with affection, praise, and promises of the future can feel like just what we've been looking for," says Matthew Hussey, relationship expert and author of "Love Life: How to Raise Your Standards, Find Your Person, and Live Happily." "But, we have to be conscious enough and intentional enough to slow things down so that we can see if their attention and their investment is consistent and holds over a longer period of time," he says. 12 Types of Dating and How They Work What Is Love Bombing? Love bombing gets its name because it can feel like you're being inundated (or bombed!) with sweeping gestures and grand statements. The other person will often drench you in adoring compliments about how amazing or perfect you are, and big milestones—like saying “I love you,” discussing marriage, or planning lavish vacations—happen very quickly. They may even demand an extraordinary amount of your time under the guise of your newfound connection. “Love-bombing is what happens when a person gives you an excessive amount of attention, love, and adulation very early in the relationship. [It typically occurs] in an inorganic pace—inorganic for how long you've known each other," Hussey says. “As a result, it can feel both incredibly seductive and overwhelming at the same time.” He explains that love bombing happens on a spectrum: Pure Naïveté: Some people are oblivious to how strong they’re coming across, and their love bombing can come from a place of insecurity or desire to make you feel special. Unhealthy Love Patterns: “For some, it can come from a place of idealizing you in unhealthy ways that they aren't even aware of consciously," Hussey says. For instance, this behavior may be exhibited by someone who has an anxious attachment style. Malicious Intent: Some people love bomb simply for the thrill of it. In fact, one study found a correlation between narcissistic behavior and love bombing. “Narcissistic types will often do this to get you all in on an intense level for their own validation and supply, where it's easier for them to control because your guard is down,” Hussey explains. Matthew Hussey, relationship expert and author Love-bombing is what happens when a person gives you an excessive amount of attention, love, and adulation very early in the relationship. — Matthew Hussey, relationship expert and author How to Find the Best Dating App for You Can You Salvage a Love Bomb Relationship? When you find yourself in a love bombing situation, it’s important to move forward with a heightened level of caution. If you want to salvage the relationship, it’s possible, but you’ll need to be clear and make attempts to steer the ship into a healthier trajectory. “Suggest a slower pace,” Hussey says. “Explain that you like them, but it's really important to you to go at a pace that's organic where you can get to know each other better over a little more time, and watch for their reaction.” How they react can give you a lot of insight into whether it’s smart to move forward together. If they acknowledge that they got carried away and want to keep getting to know you on these slower terms, that’s an excellent sign you can course-correct. However, Hussey says that if they get angry or defensive—maybe even throwing accusations or trying to convince you to do things their way—then that’s a sign they’re not in a healthy place to move forward with a romantic relationship. 9 Common Relationship Stereotypes That We Normalize—But Are Actually Not Okay 2 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Simpson, J. A., & Steven Rholes, W. (2017). Adult attachment, stress, and romantic relationships. Current Opinion in Psychology, 13, 19–24. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.006 Strutzenberg CC, Wiersma-Mosley JD, Jozkowski KN, Becnel JN. Love-bombing: A Narcissistic Approach to Relationship Formation. Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. 2017;18(1), 81-89. By Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit