10 Signs Your Partner Is Gaslighting You

OVERVIEW: WHAT IS GASLIGHTING?

"Gaslighted" is a psychiatric term. Its a form of emotional and psychological abuse. Another term is Ambient Abuse. This is where your partner manipulates your perception of reality when it comes to certain situations or events. It causes the person being gaslighted to become confused and begin to question their thought process and there own reality.

The victims often are always second guessing themselves and left confused and stressed in the end.

It is one of the most dangerous forms of mental manipulation that we have to deal with. The victim can literally be driven crazy. It is often used as a way to gain power over the other person in the relationship.

Signs They Are Gaslighting You

1.) You are told something is normal. When you really don't believe it is. But they say everyone else does it. But still, deep down, you know its not normal.

2.) You are told you are paranoid, too sensitive or stressed out.

3. ) You start to exhibit "crazy" behavior

4.) You mistrust your perceptions- you are told that what you see, hear, feel or remember is false.

5.) You begin to accept his perceptions, even though they dont seem true.

6.)You start to feel like your memory is terrible- your partner says stuff like he never did or said something, that you are certain they did.

7.) You start to feel like your spouse has a terrible memory- you have a deep , important conversation with your partner. And later they say it never happened.

8.) You start lying- you lie in order to avoid mental abuse.

9.) You begin to think you are crazy

10.) Depression-end stage of being gaslighted, you feel: depressed, anxious ,unsure and hopeless.

WHAT TO DO

• -Keep records- Depending on certain situations, it might be good to keep a diary or journal. You can take notes of certain things. Later on you can use it to see if your partner is gaslighting you are not. Keeping records is usually better for specific fights where important stuff is stated. You can also record audio. This helps you to not get lost in your abusers version of your reality. Stick to what your diary or journal states.

• Talk about it with your friends- You may feel that talking about it is going to lead you down a long road of friends telling you to leave your partner. But, sometimes people who gaslight their partner's sometimes arent really doing it completely on purpose. They may actually be able to revert and change their behavior. Talking to a friend will keep you strong. They will remind you what you need to do.

• Remind yourself that you are not responsible for your partners behavior- It is not your fault that your partner abuses you this way. It's there own issue.

• Don't debate with your partner- when it comes to being gaslighted, you will never win. So honestly, its just better to not fight with your partner if they are doing this to you. Stay strong.

• Keep reminding yourself what is real and what isn't- If you notice they are showing signs of gaslighting you, you will need to start only trusting your own words. You know the truth, don't allow your partner to abuse you in such a way.

• Dont take the blame for how your partner is feeling- When your partner is gaslighting you, they will turn everything around on everyone else. Everything they feel that is negative, they will find some way to make it your fault. In the end you will believe it and it brings you down. Remind yourself they are doing these things to themselves. And unless you are a really bad girlfriend, it is doubtful that you are actually making them feel that crappy.