Gaslighting — What is It?
And how can you deal with it?
I recently wrote an article about growing up with an NPD. That stands for narcissistic personality disorder. Someone with this condition has an inflated sense of their own importance. They show a lack of empathy and don’t seem to care about other peoples’ feelings, crave admiration, and can go into a rage if you criticize them.
One of the tactics commonly used by NPDs is gaslighting, though other people can also do it. It is a form of emotional abuse that can make the victim feel like their perception of reality is wrong.
The term itself comes from the movie of the same name originally released in 1940; it was based on a play from 1938. The villain in the movie is a husband who wants to put his wife in an institution, so he emotionally manipulates her so she thinks she is going crazy.
What does gaslighting feel like?
If you start to feel like something is off when you are with someone and you wonder if your perception of reality is off — the person may be gaslighting you.
Please be aware, I am not a psychologist or licensed therapist. However, I have been the victim of gaslighting and I’ve learned to detect some of the signs. Hopefully, my experiences can help you — but remember, if you suspect that you…
