The Dark Facets of Gaslighting Revealed
The Friday Edition | No. 20
The Dark Facets of Gaslighting Revealed
“You’re crazy – that never happened.”
“You’re so sensitive.”
“Why are you always the problem?”
“You’re overacting.”
“What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not happening.”
“You must be confused again.”
“That’s not right; you misheard me or you’re remembering things wrong.”
“Just calm down.”
“I never said that.”
“What are you talking about – you’re wrong and being nonsensical.”
“It’s all in your head.”
“You know I love you.”
The Beginnings & Understanding Gaslighting
Having experienced gaslighting as the family scapegoat by family members throughout my life from infancy to adulthood, I can attest to its profound impact. It has left malicious tentacles in every area of my life.
Observing how gaslighting operates within families, and across social, corporate, and political realms, and how it affects everyone in its wake, is deeply troubling. The modern utilization of gaslighting as a malicious tactic by political, and religious groups and other entities, to limit individual rights and freedoms, and undermine women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups, as well as the environment is infuriating. It needs to be highlighted more frequently, broken down and clarified. Let’s review the definition of gaslighting:
Gaslighting is a malicious power tactic used by abusers, narcissists, those with personality disorders, dictators, and cult leaders. It is a form of psychological manipulation and constitutes a form of insidious emotional abuse. The gaslighter avoids accountability for their toxic behavior through lies, denials, and by making the victim question reality, facts, memories, and their own thoughts and emotions. In short, the gaslighter instills doubt in the victim’s sanity, distorts their perception of reality, and detaches them from their inner truth.
Understanding gaslighting is critically important, especially in our current times marked by significant societal shifts. Recognizing its malevolent and pervasive nature is crucial. Thus, it is an opportune time to shed light on this subject and unveil its dark facets. Let’s explore this complex issue and journey deftly into the belly of the beast. As Louis Brandeis, associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court (1916-1939) accurately said:
Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
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