Introduction
It can be difficult to identify gaslighting in a relationship. Moreover, it is a type of abuse that is often subtle and hard to detect. It can make you feel like you’re going crazy or that you’re overreacting. In this post, we will discuss the signs of gaslighting so that you can identify it in your own life or in the life of someone you know.
You Doubt Your Feelings (Start of Gaslighting)
One of the most telltale signs that you're being gaslighted is that you start to doubt your own feelings and perceptions. If you feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells around someone and can never quite get them to understand what you're trying to say, that's a sign that they're actively trying to manipulate your emotions and distort reality. When someone is gaslighting you, they'll often do things like make comments that aren't really critical but still make you feel like you're being stupid or irrational. Or they might downplay your feelings and pretend like they don't understand what you're going through.
You Question Your Judgment
One of the telltale signs of emotional manipulation is when you start to question your own judgment. When someone is trying to control you, they'll often resort to gaslighting – a technique that causes you to doubt your own memory, perception and judgment. This can leave you feeling like you're going crazy, and as if you can't trust your own thoughts. If you've started to question your own judgment, it's time to take a step back and reassess the situation. Don't be afraid to talk to someone you trust about what's going on. It can be incredibly liberating to have someone else validate what you're experiencing.
You Feel Vulnerable and Insecure
One of the clearest signs that someone is gaslighting you is that you start to feel incredibly vulnerable and insecure. You may feel like you can't trust your own judgment or that you're constantly walking on eggshells around the person. You may also find yourself constantly apologizing for things that you didn't even do wrong, or feeling like you're not good enough. This is because the manipulator wants to make you feel like you're not worthy of respect and love.
You Wonder if You are Good Enough
One of the common signs of gaslighting is the gaslightee constantly doubting themselves. You may find yourself constantly wondering if you are good enough, pretty enough, thin enough, etc. You may feel like you're constantly walking on eggshells, always afraid to say or do the wrong thing in case it sets your partner off. This self-doubt and insecurity is exactly what the gaslighter wants. They want you to feel like you can't trust your own judgment, that you need them to tell you what's right and what's wrong.
You’re Always Apologizing
The fifth sign of gaslighting is that you always seem to be apologizing. You might not even realize it, but you’re constantly making excuses for the other person and trying to appease them. This is done in an effort to avoid their wrath, but it only ends up reinforcing their behavior. If you feel like you’re always apologizing for things that aren’t your fault, then you might be a victim of it.
Conclusion
It is a form of emotional manipulation that can be very subtle and difficult to identify. It can make you doubt your own sanity and make you feel like you are always walking on eggshells. If you think you might be a victim of gaslighting, there are some signs to look out for. If you see any of these signs in your relationship, it's important to get help.