Psychological Effects of Gaslighting

Abuse inside a relationship with a Narcissist can be overlooked when it isn’t physical, however the longterm effects can be more damaging than physical abuse.

The primary goal of Gaslighting is to emotionally manipulate the other person and the longterm effects include:

• Depression
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Dependency on the abuser

Gaslighting causes the other person to doubt and second guess what they know is reality.

Denying what a person knows as their truth, being told they’re overreacting or crazy, or being shut down because their partner doesn’t agree with their feelings, knocks that person off balance psychologically and can make them codependent on their partner.

They no longer rely on what they understand as reality.

Gaslighting includes the other person pretending not to understand what their partner is saying. They talk in circles or demand their partner repeat back what was said and still deny the facts.

Gaslighting is when the abuser attacks the other person verbally for making them feel bad when held accountable for their own behavior towards their partner or how their partner has expressed how their behaviour makes them feel. The focus is on the victim rather than on the abusers behaviour.

Gaslighting statements are:

• “That’s not what happened!”
• “I don’t know what you are talking about!”
• “Are you trying to upset me!”

Gaslighting often leads to another form of emotional abuse, coercive control to have power over their partner.

This includes intimidation through aggression, financial control, isolation, checking up on the other person’s movements during the day, checking their phone or emails, demanding information on who they’ve seen, gone out with, and where they went.

If you or anyine you know is going through this, click on the link below for a booking today.