Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that’s seen in abusive relationships. It’s the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts, memories, and the events occurring around them. A victim of gaslighting can be pushed so far that they question their own sanity.
Please take a moment to read the 15 Signs of Gaslighting from the Depression Project.
- They tell you everyone is a liar (so you only trust them).
- They put you down whenever you try to address their behavior-e.g. “you’re crazy.”
- They constantly lie to you.
- You start conversations seeking to address an issue with them and the conversation always turns back to you.
- They twist your memories so you see things their way not your way.
6. They bring in other people to strengthen their case-e.g. “This person knows you’re wrong too.”
7. They project-e.g. accusing you of things that they’re guilty of themselves.
8. You leave conversations more confused and disorientated than when you started.
9. They seek to uproot you from your perception of the world by casting doubt in it.
10. They constantly insult your character.
11. They wear you down over time, such that you accept things you never would have before meeting them.
12. What they say doesn’t align with how they behave.
13. They use of kindness as a strategy to maintain control over you.
14. They deny anything that makes them lose “power” in your dynamic-even things that are blatantly obvious.
15. They use the most important things in your life as ammo against you.
All too familiar?
Haven advocates are here to help!
