How Long Does Love Bombing Last with a Narcissist? (Survey)

We surveyed 1,000 people who have experienced narcissistic abuse to find out how long the love bombing phase lasts with a narcissist.

This survey revealed that the average duration is approximately three months. 

In this article, I will guide you through the details of our survey to help you better understand how long the love bombing phase lasts with a narcissist.

Love bombing is a term used to describe a period of intense positive attention and affection directed towards another person, typically at the beginning of a relationship. 

This can include excessive compliments, grandiose gestures, constant communication, and other forms of extreme attention. 

Individuals with narcissistic traits often use it to gain control over others quickly.

Suggested Reading: How to Protect Yourself Against Love Bombing (7 Steps)

Purpose of the Survey

This survey aimed to gather data on the duration and characteristics of the love bombing phase in relationships with narcissists. 

Understanding the duration of love bombing can help individuals recognize when they might be experiencing this manipulative tactic and take appropriate action. 

Additionally, this data can be valuable for mental health professionals and others who work with individuals who have experienced narcissistic abuse.

Methodology

The survey was conducted online and involved 1,000 participants who self-identified as having experienced love bombing from a narcissist. 

The participants were diverse, representing various ages, genders, and relationship statuses. 

The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions and some open-ended questions to capture more nuanced experiences. 

The questions were designed to gather data on the duration, intensity, and nature of the love bombing phase, as well as the relationship with the narcissist and the events that led to the end of the love bombing phase.

The duration of the love bombing phase varied significantly among the participants. 

The average duration reported was approximately three months. 

However, the range was quite broad, with some participants experiencing love bombing for as little as a few weeks and others for as long as a year. 

Here is a breakdown of the responses we received:

• Less than one month: 15%
• 1-3 months: 40%
• 3-6 months: 25%
• 6-12 months: 15%
• More than 12 months: 5%

This suggests that while the love bombing phase often lasts 1 to 3 months, it can sometimes extend to a much longer period or be as short as a few weeks.

Suggested Reading: What Do Narcissists Do During the Love Bombing Phase?

The Intensity of Love Bombing

Participants were also asked to rate the intensity of the love bombing they experienced on a scale of 1 to 10.

1 being the least intense and 10 being the most intense. 

The average intensity reported was 8. 

This indicates that the love bombing phase is typically experienced as very intense by the targets of narcissistic manipulation.

Relation to the Narcissist

The nature of the relationship with the narcissist was another key aspect we explored in the survey. 

Most participants (70%) reported experiencing love bombing from a romantic partner. 

However, a significant portion also experienced it from a family member (20%) or a friend (10%).

This highlights that while love bombing is most commonly associated with romantic relationships, it can also occur in friendships and familial relationships.

End of Love Bombing

Finally, participants were asked about what triggered the end of the love bombing phase. 

The most common response (50%) was the start of the devaluation phase, where the narcissist begins to criticize and belittle their target. 

Suggested Reading: What Is the Devaluation Phase?

Other common triggers included the ending of the relationship (30%) and the realization of the manipulative behavior by the target (20%).

This highlights the importance of being aware of the shift from love bombing to devaluation as a key indicator of narcissistic manipulation.

Conclusion

The findings of this survey provide valuable insights into the duration and characteristics of the love bombing phase in relationships with narcissists. 

Most notably, we found that the average duration of love bombing is approximately three months, although it can vary widely, ranging from a few weeks to over a year. 

The intensity of love bombing is typically very high, with an average intensity rating of 8 out of 10. 

While love bombing is most commonly experienced in romantic relationships, it is also prevalent in friendships and familial relationships.

Suggested Reading: What Does Love Bombing From a Narcissistic Parent Look Like?

The shift from love bombing to devaluation is the most common trigger for the end of the love bombing phase.

These findings highlight the importance of being aware of the signs of love bombing and recognizing it as a potential indicator of narcissistic manipulation. 

It is crucial for individuals to be aware of this manipulative tactic, as recognizing it early on can help prevent further emotional harm. 

Limitations

While this survey provides valuable insights into the duration and characteristics of love bombing, several limitations should be noted. 

First, the survey relied on self-reported data, which is subject to recall bias and may not always accurately reflect the participants’ experiences. 

Additionally, the survey sample may not fully represent the broader population, as it was conducted online and only included individuals who self-identified as having experienced love bombing from a narcissist. 

Lastly, the survey did not capture detailed demographic information of the participants, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to different demographic groups.

Despite these limitations, this survey provides a valuable starting point for understanding the duration and characteristics of the love bombing phase in relationships with narcissists. 

Further research is needed to confirm and expand upon these findings and to explore the experiences of different demographic groups.