Love Bombing

Excessive attention, gifts, compliments, and declarations of love within the first days or weeks of dating. It feels incredible — someone finally "gets" you. But love bombing is the most well-documented precursor to abusive relationships because it creates artificial intimacy and emotional dependence before you've had time to evaluate the person. Psychologist Dale Archer notes that love bombers create a dopamine-fueled high, then withdraw affection to maintain control. Real connection builds gradually. If it feels like a movie montage, it's probably a manipulation.