Gaslighting is a form of abuse that involves a person deliberately causing someone to doubt their sanity. This may cause feelings of confusion or powerlessness. The long-term effects of gaslighting include trauma, anxiety, and depression

The term “gaslighting” comes from the 1944 movie Gaslight. In the movie, an abusive husband brightens and dims gas powered lights, then insists that his wife is hallucinating. This causes her to doubt her sanity.

Today, gaslighting describes any interaction where a person or entity manipulates someone into feeling they cannot trust their own memories, feelings, or senses.

A person on the receiving end of gaslighting may truly believe that they are not mentally well, that their memories are not accurate, or that their mind is playing tricks on them. This makes them feel dependent on the abusive person.

Examples of Gaslighting-

Countering – This strategy includes an injurious individual addressing someone’s memory of occasions, indeed in spite of the fact that they have recollected them accurately.

Withholding – This portrays somebody who imagines not to get it something, or who denies to listen.

Overlooking: This includes an injurious individual imagining they have overlooked something, or denying that something happened. 

Trivializing: This alludes to an damaging individual making someone’s concerns or sentiments appear insignificant or irrational. 

Diverting: This strategy happens when an injurious individual changes the subject, or centers on the validity of what somebody is saying instead of the substance. A few individuals too call it “blocking.”