Understanding Gaslighting: The Covert Form of Emotional Manipulation
Gaslighting is a powerful and often invisible form of emotional bullying that can distort your sense of reality and self-worth. In many cases, it appears as subtle dismissal—like hearing “You’re remembering it wrong”—but over time, these tactics can have deep psychological effects.
This type of manipulation is especially common in family systems, intimate relationships, and even professional settings, making it critical to understand how it operates.
In this video, we explore how gaslighting functions as a quiet but potent form of covert bullying. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward healing, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your inner truth.
Why “You’re Remembering It Wrong” Is More Than Just a Phrase
When someone repeatedly tells you that your memory or perception is inaccurate, they’re not just being dismissive, they may be engaging in gaslighting to avoid accountability and control the narrative. Over time, this form of manipulation can erode your ability to trust your own thoughts and feelings.
Gaslighting is often linked to larger patterns of social bullying, where individuals use psychological tactics to isolate and disempower others. Victims may develop heightened anxiety, depression, and symptoms of trauma, underscoring the mental health impact of prolonged emotional manipulation.
Additionally, it’s not uncommon for people on the receiving end of gaslighting to be mischaracterized as “overreacting” or “unstable,” leading to a phenomenon known as reactive abuse, where the target’s emotional response is used against them to justify the original abuse.
