“You’re so sensitive!” “I think you’re imagining things because that never happened.” “Stop being so dramatic.”
Have you ever heard these lines? If you have, you may have been a victim of gaslighting.
To explain it simply, gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation. This is done over a period of time to the point that it can make you doubt yourself and question your perception of reality. It also chips away your confidence and self-worth.
Gaslighting in a relationship looks like this
- Telling you that you’re overreacting
- Accusing you of making things up
- Spreading rumors to discredit you
- Invalidating your feelings
- Shifting the blame
- Denying that they’ve done anything wrong even if they clearly have
- Manipulating you
Gaslighting yourself looks like this
- Blaming yourself
- Finding excuses for other people’s behavior
- Sweeping your feelings under the rug
- Minimizing your bad experiences or trauma
- Suppressing/dismissing your thoughts
But there are things you can do to stop gaslighting. Here are some tips:
#1 Find a way to maintain some distance.
Take yourself away from the situation. Go somewhere else to calm down and practice relaxation techniques like prayer, meditation, and breathing.
#2 Set and practice personal boundaries.
Honor yourself by specifying what’s okay and what’s not for you. Learn to say no, and reiterate your boundaries when needed.
#3 Be kind to yourself.
Being gaslighted can make you doubt yourself. You may start believing the lies the other party is saying about you, so practice kindness toward yourself. You matter.
#4 Cut ties with them.
This is easier said than done, but someone who cares about you won’t gaslight you. So surround yourself with people who truly love and support you.
If you feel like you or someone you know is a victim of #gaslighting, we’re glad you’re reading this post because you’ll find out its signs and know what to do about it. Share this article, so we can put a stop to gaslighting. We all deserve #KinderDaysAhead.
SOURCE:
(n.d.). What Is Gaslighting? Learn the Warning Signs – Verywell Mind. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/is-someone-gaslighting-you-4147470
