What is Gaslighting? Meaning and The Warning Signs

TheIndonesia.co - The term gaslighting is often used to describe manipulative actions, especially in a relationship. Then, what is gaslighting actually? Is gaslighting something to watch out for?

Gaslighting makes a love relationship unhealthy, which causes harm for both parties. So, we need to know what gaslighting is and what its characteristics are like.

What is gaslighting?

Quoting the Very Well Mind, gaslighting is a form of manipulation that often occurs in abusive relationships. Gaslighting is a form of covert emotional abuse in which the gaslighter creates a false narrative for the victim.

Ultimately, victims of gaslighting will feel unsure about how they think about the world and may even wonder if they are losing their minds.

Broadly speaking, gaslighting has commonly happened in romantic relationships. However, this also happens in friendships or even family relationships.

Someone who gaslights may actually have a mental disorder such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD).

How Gaslighting works

Gaslighting is a technique used to weaken one's perception of reality. When the gaslighter blames you, you will then wonder what you really did.

You may be driven to think that you are always to blame for something that in turn accuses you of being overly sensitive.

Gaslighting can leave the victims confused about their judgment, memory, self-esteem, and mental health.

Characteristics of a gaslighter

Tell a lot of lies

Someone who likes to gaslight is generally a liar and tends to be narcissistic. Even when you try to provide evidence, they will still insist and continue to defeat themselves.

Likes to gossip

At first glance, the gaslighter may appear to be worried about you and talk about it in public. However, it is also the moment they start spreading rumors that your emotions are unstable or even crazy. Unfortunately, these tactics can be very effective and many people will be on their side without knowing the full story from the victim's point of view.

Bothering

When you ask someone a question or call them to do or say something, they may change the subject by asking a question instead of responding to the problem at hand.

This not only throws off your train of thought but also causes you to question the need to bring up an issue when they don't feel the need to respond.

Those are some facts about gaslighting that should be watched out for. Hopefully, you understand more about gaslighting, so you know how to deal with it.