In a recent post, I told a very personal story about my one painful experience with polyamory and how I mistook “love bombing” for actual love in a narcissistic abuse situation.
It's a good question. Love bombing can look the same, whether the intention is to manipulate or not. While the reasons for the pattern may be different, in general, if you're getting to know someone new, it's a red flag worth noting, regardless of why it's happening. I'm not suggesting you should screen out neurodivergent people or those with bipolar mania (who can be very narcissistic when manic), but just realize that those relationships that begin with love bombing can crash into devaluing, degrading, dismissing, or discarding, regardless of motive. I sincerely believe people with mental illnesses, including NPD, deserve love too. But we have to go into those relationships with eyes wide open and boundaries in place if we want to keep our own parts safe enough.
It's a good question. Love bombing can look the same, whether the intention is to manipulate or not. While the reasons for the pattern may be different, in general, if you're getting to know someone new, it's a red flag worth noting, regardless of why it's happening. I'm not suggesting you should screen out neurodivergent people or those with bipolar mania (who can be very narcissistic when manic), but just realize that those relationships that begin with love bombing can crash into devaluing, degrading, dismissing, or discarding, regardless of motive. I sincerely believe people with mental illnesses, including NPD, deserve love too. But we have to go into those relationships with eyes wide open and boundaries in place if we want to keep our own parts safe enough.