Redditors Share Their Stories About Their Love Bombing Experiences, and They Are Horrifying
"Two years later, every day when he came home from work, I got those damned butterflies, followed by a sense of dread."
Love bombing can look flattering at first, which is exactly why it catches so many people off guard. A Reddit thread on r/AskReddit asked people to share the moment they realized the affection was really manipulation, and the replies quickly turned dark.
From over-the-top gifts to sudden pressure, the stories in this thread show how fast charm can turn into control. Several Redditors described relationships that started with intense attention and ended with fear, confusion, and a lot of second-guessing.
The comments are brutal, and the pattern is hard to miss.
OP Asked His Question
-ethereality-A parent love bombing you is as hard as it sounds, since they might start when you are young, making it difficult to escape the toxic environment.
PurpleVein99Love bombers will go to extremes to ensure you suffer once they see their plans aren't working...
Brilliant_Agent_7981
and they'll still be dumbfounded as to why you don't want them in your life.
Brilliant_Agent_7981
It's hard to stay strong when they're building an ideal image for you; it's a good thing this Redditor did.
kchackman
There comes a time when the love bomb explodes, and they will no longer indulge their whim to manipulate you with sweetness...
Nice_Bee_4399
just pure cruelty.
Nice_Bee_4399
It might be easier to listen when you feel loved, but if your spidey senses are tingling, it might be worth paying attention.
Automatic-Cod-4682
They'll use their actions and affections to guilt-trip you into thinking that they're the only person you need.
NokoBal
This OP will spend their life recognizing the signs from a mile away after the treatment they received.
lilpizzaguy
They can go from 0 to 100 real fast, and that applies to both good and bad.
Shorse_rider
The actions of abusers create trust issues for people, leading them to doubt affections even when they are genuine.
Lilliputian0513
The phrase 'We're like family here' may sometimes be a warning sign in a workplace.
Shorse_rider
At first, it was dreams and plans to the max.
rad_interesting_name
Even if it was early in the relationship.
rad_interesting_name
Then came the tiring rollercoaster of a chaotic, labeled relationship.
It's always better to leave those kinds of people behind unless they seek help and improve; otherwise, you'll suffer.
rad_interesting_name
It echoes the AITA where my best friend pursued my crush, then I asked her to move out.
They try to show you a beautiful picture and distract you when you're finally seeing the cracks.
ithasriboflavin
This Redditor sensed the love bombing the moment she saw the gifts.
eratoast
And, of course, the ex wasn't happy that she didn't fall for his charms.
eratoast
When the chase is all they want.
Queasy_Ad_5460
Their plans to build a foundation will slow down with those kinds of suggestions.
underboobfunk
It might be really confusing at times, and you’ll make bad decisions before making the best one.
choiaera
Love bombing, even the subtle kind, can lead to insecurities and dread, but hopefully, it’ll get better.
s0ckm0nk3y99
There seems to be a pattern with love bombers where...
Fire-Kissed
they trap you with promises for the future.
Fire-Kissed
Your intuition might save you from being placed on a high pedestal from which you can fall.
RainbowLox
There's nothing wrong with taking your time to get to know a person who will be in your life.
IamDollParts96
It’s hard not to fall back into the same...
cruncheweezy
pattern, especially if the feelings are this strong.
cruncheweezy
End of comment.
cruncheweezy
The actions are extreme...
Low_Nature_8064
and so is the trauma.
Low_Nature_8064
And it might be driven by guilt...
Nancy2421
or other feelings, rather than love.
Nancy2421
Being love bombed can evoke the strangest feelings that trigger your intuition.
Solid_Beat5488
Yeesh, they show their colors pretty early on sometimes.
throwawaaayy98
Their stories might not be enough to reveal what they like, but they are sufficient to show what they are like.
h20rabbit
A Big Sign.
Plastic-Tune7425
Then the manipulation starts.
diet_coke_cabal
They only enjoy it when they do it, but once you’re aware of their game, they're out.
punctuationist
It seems spontaneous when it’s really dangerous.
oddcowgirl
It might be easier said than done when you tell people who are being love-bombed to run away as far as they can, especially when they are being manipulated. You can only hope that they don't fall for it the next time someone tries it on them again.
Have you experienced a time when you realized you were being love-bombed? Share it with us in the comments.
Want a messy twist too, read what happened when a best friend’s new relationship got sabotaged. Should I confess my love to my best friend and risk sabotaging their new relationship?
