You thought you met “the one.” The texts were constant, the chemistry electric, the declarations over the top. It felt like the kind of love story movies are made of—until the calls stopped, the plans evaporated, and you were left reeling.

That’s the whiplash of love bombing and ghosting. The high feels intoxicating, but the crash leaves you doubting yourself, shrinking, and working twice as hard to keep someone from slipping away.

In this episode of Coupled With…, Dr. Rachel Orleck unpacks:

• Why fireworks feel like connection but aren’t the same as intimacy
• How dopamine fuels chaos, while oxytocin builds steadiness
• The exhausting loop of over-functioning when intensity fades
• Practical reflection questions to tell the difference between clarity and chaos
• What secure love really feels like—and why “calm” isn’t the same as “boring”

Secure love may not start with fireworks, but it lasts longer than any spark. If you’ve ever been love bombed, ghosted, or caught in the cycle of chasing intensity, this conversation will help you reframe the story and recognize the kind of love that’s built to stay.

Free Resources:

7 Day Email Course to Break the Conflict Cycle