Gaslighting, love bombing and 'the ick': a psychologist reveals which viral relationship terms are real and which are total nonsense

July 2, 2026 - 10:21

A clinical psychologist is cutting through the noise of social media relationship advice, offering a clear verdict on which viral terms are backed by science and which are just pop culture fluff. Terms like gaslighting, love bombing, and narcissism have become common currency on TikTok and Instagram, but their overuse has diluted their meaning. The expert warns that while these concepts describe real and damaging behaviors, they are often misapplied to everyday disagreements or minor annoyances.

Gaslighting, for example, is a specific form of psychological manipulation where a person makes someone doubt their own reality. It is not simply lying or having a different memory of an event. Love bombing, another clinical term, refers to overwhelming a new partner with affection and gifts as a control tactic, not just a romantic gesture. The psychologist notes that true narcissism is a diagnosed personality disorder, not a label for someone who posts too many selfies.

On the other hand, the term "the ick" is dismissed as pure nonsense. This viral concept describes a sudden feeling of disgust toward a partner over a small, often trivial behavior. While the feeling is real, the psychologist explains it has no basis in clinical psychology. It is simply a modern label for a loss of attraction, not a sign of abuse or a red flag. The takeaway is clear: viral terms can be useful for starting conversations, but they are not a substitute for professional diagnosis or real communication.