Gaslighting Signs & Tactics

Gaslighting Signs & Tactics


Gaslighting Signs & Tactics

What is Galsighting

Gas lighting is a form of emotional abuse that appears in abusive and toxic relationships. By manipulating someone by forcing them to doubt their thoughts, memories, and events. The victim of invasive illumination can be pushed to the point of calling into question his mental integrity.

The term "gaslighting" comes from a later play and movie called "Gaslight". In the film, a deceitful husband, played by Charles Boyer, manipulates his wife, played by Ingrid Bergmann, tortures her and convinces her that she will go mad.

Gaslight mainly occurs in dating and marital relationships, but it is not uncommon for this to happen in the control of friendships or between family members as well. Toxic people use this type of manipulation to exert power over others in order to manipulate friends, family members, and sometimes even co-workers.

Gaslighting is  the Narcissist's favorite tool of Manipulation, they frequently use gaslighting tactics to abuse and undermine their victims


Gaslighting signs

Exposure to gaslighting can cause many mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It has also been linked to panic attacks and nervous breakdowns. For this reason, it is important to ask yourself whether you are exposed to gaslighting in a toxic relationship  and whether any of the following statements are true.


  • You no longer feel the person you used to be
  • To be more anxious and less confident than you were before
  • Feeling that everything you do is wrong
  • You always think it's your fault when things go wrong
  • You often wonder if what you give your partner is appropriate (for example, asking if you are loyal or not like enough)
  • Make excuses for your partner's behavior§
  • Avoid giving information to friends or family members to avoid confrontation with your partner
  • Feeling isolated from friends and family
  • Find it increasingly difficult to make decisions
  • Feeling hopeless and little or no enjoyment of activities you used to enjoy
  • You doubt your feelings and your reality and question your judgment and perceptions.
  • You feel vulnerable, insecure and lonely
  • You also feel anxious and have low self-esteem.
  • Wonder if you are so stupid and crazy
  • You spend a lot of time apologizing


Gaslighting Tactic

Gaslight does not usually start in one go, as most narcissistic abuse and manipulation behaviors begin slowly. Like the story of a frog falling into boiling water, he knows it's being boiled, but a frog that falls into cold water and the temperature rises slowly never knows it's boiling. They start out with a little lie mixed with a spoonful of truth because it's more believable.

That way, you will confuse the victim. Then they keep repeating the lie by slowly brainwashing the victim (like a frog)
If you dare to ask the truth about things, then you are accused of having bad memories


Common things you might hear

  • You thought that last time and you were wrong, don’t you remember?
  • Where did you get an idea like that?
  • You're a crazy !
  • You are just too sensitive 
  • You’re making that up, I don’t remember that at all.

What You Can Do

Review things that happened with a different lens, can you identify any of these patterns?

Often journaling about events that happen will trigger the clearer memory of truth. Keep records of things they say that confuse you because you might come back to it as you remember things and this journal will be your lifeline to sanity.

Talk to a therapist or coach to get validated at what is going on, so you can learn you are not crazy. We heal faster if we drop the concern that we are losing our minds.

Related Article:

Sources:
narcissistabusesupport.com
healthline.com
verywellmind.com

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