Headlines abound about how Trump has been gaslighting his followers or gaslighting the American public. The word has been thrown around this campaign season both correctly and incorrectly. Gaslighting intentionally makes someone doubt their memories or perception of reality. So what does this word mean? "Gaslighting" is used to describe abusive behavior, specifically when an abuser manipulates information in such a way as to make a victim question his or her sanity. "Gaslighting" has been all over the press lately, mainly in reference to Donald Trump. And then there are the real terms that you may not have encountered before. Some of the words we’d rather not repeat, if we can avoid it. Our advocates are here to support and listen to you.We've been exposed to a lot of nastiness during this US presidential campaign. If any of these signs ring true for you, give us a call at 1-80 or chat with us online 24/7/365. You wonder if you are a “good enough” partner.You feel as though you can’t do anything right.You have the sense that you used to be a very different person – more confident, more fun-loving, more relaxed.You have trouble making simple decisions.You start lying to avoid the put downs and reality twists.You know something is terribly wrong, but you can never quite express what it is, even to yourself.You find yourself withholding information from friends and family so you don’t have to explain or make excuses.You frequently make excuses for your partner’s behavior to friends and family.You can’t understand why, with so many apparently good things in your life, you aren’t happier.You’re always apologizing to your partner.You often feel confused and even crazy.You ask yourself, “Am I too sensitive?” multiple times a day. According to author and psychoanalyst Robin Stern, Ph.D., the signs of being a victim of gaslighting include: In order to overcome this type of abuse, it’s important to start recognizing the signs and eventually learn to trust yourself again. Then they start relying on the abusive partner more and more to define reality, which creates a very difficult situation to escape. Over time, however, these abusive patterns continue and a victim can become confused, anxious, isolated, and depressed, and they can lose all sense of what is actually happening. Gaslighting typically happens very gradually in a relationship in fact, the abusive partner’s actions may seem harmless at first. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” or “You’re just making stuff up.” The abusive partner pretends to have forgotten what actually occurred or denies things like promises made to the victim.Įx. “You’re going to get angry over a little thing like that?” or “You’re too sensitive.” Forgetting/Denial The abusive partner makes the victim’s needs or feelings seem unimportant.Įx. “Is that another crazy idea you got from ?” or “You’re imagining things.” Trivializing The abusive partner changes the subject and/or questions the victim’s thoughts.Įx. “You’re wrong, you never remember things correctly.” Blocking/Diverting The abusive partner questions the victim’s memory of events, even when the victim remembers them accurately.Įx. “I don’t want to hear this again,” or “You’re trying to confuse me.” Countering The abusive partner pretends not to understand or refuses to listen.Įx. There are a variety of gaslighting techniques that an abusive partner might use: Withholding
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