I bet you can relate to a few of these @Hoistraft
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation and emotional abuse where a person or group causes someone to doubt their own sanity, memory, or perception of reality. The term comes from the 1944 film Gaslight, where a husband makes his wife doubt her sanity. Gaslighters use tactics like denying events, trivializing someone's feelings, and isolating them to gain power and control, leading the victim to become dependent and lose confidence in themselves.
How Gaslighting Works
Denying Reality:
The gaslighter will deny facts or events, insisting the victim is wrong or has a distorted memory.
HTrivializing Feelings:
They dismiss the victim's emotions, calling them irrational or overly sensitive.
(Him accusing you of ‘overreacting)
Shifting Blame:
The abuser will project their own actions onto the victim, making the victim feel responsible for the situation.
(Him blaming you for contraception failing)
Isolation:
They may try to isolate the victim from friends and family, making them more reliant on the gaslighter's distorted version of reality.
Erosion of Self-Worth:
Over time, this constant questioning and manipulation chips away at the victim's self-esteem, making them doubt their own judgment and worth. (He’s done this by belittling your body !)
Examples of Gaslighting
An abuser insists their partner said or did something they didn't, despite the victim's clear memory of the event.
A manager dismisses an employee's valid concerns by saying they are "too sensitive".
A partner repeatedly denies making promises, making the other person feel like they can't trust their own recall of the conversation.
Why Gaslighting is Harmful
It creates bewilderment and confusion for the victim.
It undermines a person's self-confidence and ability to trust their own perceptions.
It leads to increased dependence on the abuser, who becomes the source of the victim's "reality".
It is a tactic used to maintain control and power in an abusive relationship.