Here’s what to know.
But as I have learned first-hand, it is possible to experience love bombing in friendship, too.
Friend bombing is essentially love bombing, but in a platonic context.
Weve just met, and youre offering to treat me to Taylor Swift tickets.
Its a level of generosity that feels uncomfortable and inappropriate.
The invitations themselves are often exciting, but create an imbalance.
New Jersey-based licensed psychologist and clinical social worker
To move from a flood of positive emotion to an experience of rejection or conflict feels terribly destabilizing.
It can leave you wondering, Did I do something?
What did I do wrong?'
Why does love bombing in friendship happen?
The motives of love bombing are quite clear: gaining control over a partner.
The friend bomber wants connection, and thats [likely] eluded them for most of their life.
Theyre excited to meet you and hoping youll be the friend theyve never had.
Its only natural that when expectations are not met by others, we become upset, she says.
Getting friend-bombed can also be incredibly confusing for the recipient, adds Worthy.
New Jersey-based licensed psychologist and clinical social worker
It can leave you wondering, Did I do something?
What did I do wrong?
If you genuinely like the person, you could try setting boundaries and expectations, Worthy says.
I could never say yes to something like this.
But I would love to meet for coffee again next week.
You will eventually have a need or a boundary that upsets the bomber.
Be firm and confident in your boundaries and be sure to remain consistent with them.
After all, this is your life, not theirs, says Dr. Forshee.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
