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Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where a person makes a victim doubt his or her perceptions or capabilities. It has gained popularity and normalization in recent years.
Anyone – whether a peer, family member, spouse, or coworker – can perpetrate gaslighting, and it can be highly damaging, especially when the perpetrator holds a position of authority.
Table of Contents
ToggleThe term ‘gaslighting’ originated from the 1938 stage play called “Gaslight,” which was later adapted into a 1944 film featuring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. The story depicted how a husband manipulated his wife into believing she was crazy.
He deliberately made the gas-powered lights in the home flicker and consistently denied it when his wife brought it up. This caused her immense emotional suffering. Eventually, she left her abusive marriage for a man who assisted her in rediscovering her self-worth by affirming that her perceptions were valid and not just her imagination.
Gaslighting involves continuously planting seeds of self-doubt in a person’s mind. While it can occur as a one-time event, it can also manifest as sustained abuse, leading the victim to not recognize it in the initial stages.
Even the individual engaging in gaslighting is often unaware of how their behaviors are specifically affecting the target. Research indicates that such behavior may be linked to narcissistic personality disorder, with the perpetrator continuously seeking dominance over the other person and convincing them that their feelings are invalid.
The gaslighter seeks to gain power and control over the victim by undermining their confidence and sense of reality.
Gaslighting is different from other harmful behaviors such as:
There are three types of gaslighting behaviors:
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, gaslighting can take various forms. Examples include:
Questioning someone’s memory to make them doubt themselves, like saying, “Are you sure? You have a bad memory.”
Pretending not to understand or listen to make the person doubt themselves, such as saying, “You’re just confusing me.”
Belittling or disregarding someone’s feelings, like accusing them of being “too sensitive” or overreacting.
Refusing to take responsibility by pretending to forget, denying actions, or blaming others. Like Insisting that an event or conversation never happened.
Changing the subject by questioning the other person’s credibility, like saying, “That’s just nonsense you read online.”
Using negative stereotypes about gender, race, ethnicity, etc., to manipulate, such as claiming no one would believe a woman reporting abuse.
Gaslighting can have profound effects on a victim’s mental health, leading to:
In personal relationships, gaslighting often involves an imbalance of power. The gaslighter may be a partner, family member, or close friend who seeks to control the victim. Common signs include:
Gaslighting is not limited to personal relationships; it can also occur in professional settings. Workplace gaslighting can involve:
Recognizing gaslighting involves being aware of certain behaviors and patterns. Key indicators include:
Coping with gaslighting requires several strategies:
Gaslighting is a pervasive form of psychological abuse. The tactics include countering, withholding, trivializing, denial, diverting, and stereotyping. These tactics are used to make victims doubt their perceptions and reality. Gaslighting can happen in different relationships and contexts, such as intimate partnerships or workplace dynamics. hrough support, validation, and professional help, victims can regain their sense of reality and self-worth.
References
Dr. Nishtha, a medical doctor holding both an MBBS and an MD in Biochemistry, possesses a profound passion for nutrition and wellness. Her personal journey, marked by significant struggles with physical and mental health, has endowed her with a unique empathy and insight into the challenges countless individuals face. Driven by her own experiences, she leverages her background to offer practical, evidence-backed guidance, empowering others on their paths to achieving holistic well-being. Dr. Nishtha truly believes in the interconnectedness of the mind and body. She emphasizes the significance of understanding this connection as a crucial stride toward attaining balance and happiness in life.