What is Gaslighting?
Mar 28, 2024 22:17:56 GMT -5
Post by Radrook Admin on Mar 28, 2024 22:17:56 GMT -5
What is Gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a colloquialism, loosely defined as manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality. The expression, which derives from the title of the 1944 film Gaslight, became popular in the mid-2010s. Merriam Webster cites deception of one's memory, perception of reality, or mental stability.
Gaslighting is different from genuine relationship disagreement, which is both common and important in relationships. Gaslighting is distinct in that:
One partner is consistently listening and considering the other partner's perspective;
One partner is consistently negating the other's perception, insisting that they are wrong, or telling them that their emotional reaction is irrational or dysfunctional.
Gaslighting typically occurs over a long duration and not on a one-off basis. Over time, the listening partner may exhibit symptoms often associated with anxiety disorders, depression, or low self-esteem. Gaslighting is distinct from genuine relationship conflict in that one party manipulates the perceptions of the other.
In short, whatever you perceive as wrong, is always described as being a ridiculous figment of your wild imagination. You are obviously being far too sensitive and always exaggerating things. In short, you are not in your right mind and are being unjust towards others by accusing them of things they are totally innocent of.
Unfortunately, I was forced to observe this maliciously motivated constant gaslighting effort for twenty years during my childhood and teen years, as my father, a notorious troublemaker, would tag every single thing that my mother complained about in reference to his toxic behavior, as being totally unwarranted.
My second encounter with this gaslighting effort, was when I became a Jehovah's Witness and was always told that I was wrong whenever the brothers were blatantly rude or just plain evil.
You see, instead of blaming them, they always strove to have me blame myself. They kept insinuating that my perceptions were due to my spiritual immaturity. This constant denial of the reliability of my perceptions eventually resulted in my doubting the validity of my own judgments and strapped me with the disconcerting feeling that I was not quite sane.
Unfortunately, I was forced to observe this maliciously motivated constant gaslighting effort for twenty years during my childhood and teen years, as my father, a notorious troublemaker, would tag every single thing that my mother complained about in reference to his toxic behavior, as being totally unwarranted.
My second encounter with this gaslighting effort, was when I became a Jehovah's Witness and was always told that I was wrong whenever the brothers were blatantly rude or just plain evil.
You see, instead of blaming them, they always strove to have me blame myself. They kept insinuating that my perceptions were due to my spiritual immaturity. This constant denial of the reliability of my perceptions eventually resulted in my doubting the validity of my own judgments and strapped me with the disconcerting feeling that I was not quite sane.