If a gaslighter is manipulating you, you may not even know it’s happening! Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse within an abusive relationship. It is the act of manipulating someone by forcing them to question themselves, their thoughts, memories, the lot. If you suffer victim of being gaslighted, it can lead you to question your own sanity. Whether gaslighting is intentional or not, it’s a form of manipulation through a relationship. Gaslighting can cause the victims to look so lowly on themselves and made to believe they are reliant upon their abuser. Abusers who gaslight other people may have a psychological disorder called narcissistic personality disorder.
Signs of Gaslighting:
The author of “The Gaslight Effect: How to spot and survive the hidden manipulation others use to control your life”, Robin Stern, showed the signs that you fall victim to gaslighting:
- no longer feeling like the person you used to be
- being more anxious and less confident than you used to be
- often wondering if you’re too sensitive
- feeling like everything you do is wrong
- always thinking it’s your fault when things go wrong
- apologising often
- having a sense that something’s wrong, but being unable to identify what it is
- often questioning whether your response to your partner is appropriate (e.g., wondering if you were too unreasonable or not loving enough)
- making excuses for your partner’s behaviour
- avoiding giving information to friends or family members to avoid confrontation about your partner
- feeling isolated from friends and family
- finding it increasingly hard to make decisions
- feeling hopeless and taking little or no pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
No one should go through the emotional abuse of Gaslighting. If you feel you are suffering from this, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are just a phone call away.
01803 500300 Reception@devonclinic.co.uk
