7 Common Phrases Gaslighters Use to Distort Reality

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse where one person makes another person doubt their own memory, perception, and sanity. It most commonly happens in romantic relationships, but it may rear its ugly head in other types of relationships, too. Such as those with friends, co-workers, or even parents.

Many people, at least initially, find it difficult to spot this kind of behavior in their relationships. Here are 7 common things every gaslighter says to their victims.

1) “That never happened.”

One of the most frequent tactics a gaslighter will employ is to claim that their victim didn’t perceive or hear something correctly, even though they actually did. It’s done in a manner that if you ask them about it again, they’ll tell you that what occurred was the exact opposite of what you witnessed or heard. This is a denial technique , and it’s often used to instill doubt and confusion in their victim. Later, the perpetrator may offer an apology for something else entirely, and claim that you’re being “overly sensitive” if you point out that they denied what happened earlier.

2) “You’re crazy.”

This is like the previous situation, but it incorporates an additional component. This form of abuse is prevalent in romantic…