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Fake vulnerability is a component of love bombing.

Certain signs can indicate that you are being manipulated by fake vulnerability.

Understanding these red flags can help you avoid being hurt by them.

A new partner, who may be a serious problem in the future, can reel you in quickly by agreeing with everything you say. You may think, “Wow, this person really gets me.” However, when they instantly validate your every word without truly reflecting on your viewpoint so they can offer their own unique opinion about the topic, they may be love bombing you. They want to quickly gain your trust, so you invest in the relationship. Once you are committed, this person may abuse the bond to gain control.

During the love bombing phase, your partner may seem like they are opening up. Yet, a person who love bombs usually has difficulty with true vulnerability. They have walls up to protect themselves. Instead, they fake vulnerability by citing past hardships. It may feel as if they are finally opening up, but this may not be the case. Here are three ways to tell if you are being manipulated.

1. Lack of Emotional Depth in Their Trauma Stories

First, they tell you the story of their past traumas, but they rarely talk about the feelings that they experienced during these times. You may easily empathize, and infer how they felt, but their narrative is absent of deep and nuanced feelings.

The difference between real and fake vulnerability: A couple has been dating for several months.........

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