Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where a person makes you doubt yourself or question your account of an incident. Gaslighting can come from a romantic partner, a boss, a friend, or anyone else. It is done to gain power over you and avoid responsibility for the abuse that is being inflicted. Gaslighting is incredibly
harmful. It makes you question your own sanity, can lead to anxiety or depression, and can even trigger nervous breakdowns.
Signs of gaslighting
After an argument, you wonder if you are the one being too sensitive or dramatic. The person dismisses your feelings, making you feel like they aren’t warranted or that you can’t keep your emotions in check.
You would usually second guess your recollection of past events. You would be told that it never happened or that you are misremembering the details. For some reason, the other person’s interpretation of an event does not match yours, and it’s making you question just how reliable your own memory is, or how justified your reaction is.
You would find yourself apologizing for things you did not do. You would also start to make excuses for people’s bad behaviour. You keep certain details of your relationship to yourself and hiding things about the person from the important people.
Sometimes you will also wonder if you’re losing it or going crazy. When arguing with the person, they’ll tell you that “It’s all in your head.” You don’t feel good enough, or you can’t seem to get things right.
You’re not as happy and confident as you used to be. Your gut is telling you there is something wrong with your relationship, but you might be afraid to admit it or speak up.
Summary
Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse and can be very devastating for anyone who experiences this type of manipulation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these behaviours, don’t hesitate to take action.