love bombing

Love bombing is a manipulative tactic where someone overwhelms another person with excessive affection, praise, and attention to gain control or influence. It often occurs at the beginning of a relationship to quickly establish emotional dependency. While it may feel flattering initially, the excessive affection is usually insincere or part of a strategy to manipulate, and it can be followed by withdrawal or criticism once the person is emotionally committed. Recognizing love bombing involves understanding that healthy relationships develop gradually and include genuine, balanced affection.