Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that’s meant to manipulate someone into questioning their own sanity, memories, or perception of reality. Over time, it can make the victim feel confused, anxious, and unable to trust themselves.
Here’s a breakdown of what gaslighting involves:
- Deception: The abuser may deny things they said or did, even when there’s clear evidence. They might twist events or blatantly lie to make you doubt your memory.
- Trivialization: They might minimize or dismiss your feelings and experiences as unimportant or oversensitive.
- Shifting blame: They might turn the tables on you, making you feel responsible for their actions or bad behavior.
- Isolation: They might try to control who you see or talk to, cutting you off from your support system.
Here are some signs that you might be experiencing gaslighting:
- You constantly second-guess yourself and your memories.
- You feel confused and on edge a lot of the time.
- You apologize excessively, even when you haven’t done anything wrong.
- You feel like you can’t trust your own judgment.
- You’re walking on eggshells around the person to avoid upsetting them.
- You’ve isolated yourself from friends and family.
If you think you’re being gaslighted, here are some things you can do:
- Document everything: Keep a record of what’s happening, including dates, times, and details of conversations.
- Talk to someone you trust: Get support from a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor.
- Set boundaries: Don’t engage with the gaslighter when they’re trying to manipulate you.
- Consider leaving the relationship: If the gaslighting is coming from a partner or close friend, it may be time to end the relationship.
Here are some resources that can help:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) You can also visit their website https://www.thehotline.org/search-our-resources/
- MentalHealth.gov: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health
- The National Network to End Domestic Violence: https://nnedv.org/
Remember, you’re not alone. Gaslighting is a serious form of abuse, but there is help available.