Love bombing—a form of emotional manipulation via over-the-top gestures, gifts, and expectations—is typically experienced in romantic relationships. Think: Christian Grey in 50 Shades showering Anastasia with expensive gifts at the beginning of their courtship, or Kanye West whisking Julia Fox off to New York City the very night they met for a lavish date night. But as I have learned first-hand, it is possible to experience love bombing in friendship, too.
One friend said, “Love you” casually within the first month of us meeting, sent me constant BFF reels on Instagram, talked about how we’d get old together drinking tea on our porch. It was quite a shock to my system when that friendship came crashing down by the second month, when I actually had a problem and needed her to be there for me. I realized my reaction to getting “friend bombed” was similar to being love bombed in a romantic relationship—utter disbelief, pain, anger.
“Friend bombing” is essentially love bombing, but in a platonic context. It’s just as important to be wary of these kinds of grandiose offerings in friendships as it is in romantic relationships, says psychotherapist Jack Worth
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