Gaslighting: How Not to Get Burned
Gaslighting: How Not to Get Burned
Have you grown uncertain of yourself? Confused? Afraid to speak up? Take a look around and consider whether a particular person in your life is encouraging these thoughts and feelings. If so, they might be signs of that person gaslighting you. That is, the person might be purposefully trying to get you to doubt your own sanity by, for example, persistently lying, denying things they’ve said, and acting in ways that contradict what they’ve said. It’s an insidious form of emotional abuse that you don’t need to fall victim to.
The best thing you can do to guard yourself from gaslighting is to pay close attention to your own experience. The clearer you are about your thoughts and feelings, the more you can “own” them. If you are confused, then reflect on the confusion. Consider whether it seems to be happening only with a particular person. If the answer is yes, then you would be wise to think about whether that person is doing something to undermine you. Ask trustworthy people outside of the situation for their opinion. By relying on yourself and trusted others, you will be less susceptible to gaslighting – or any other kind of emotional abuse.
It can also help to be alert for someone who repeatedly gives you feedback that shows little understanding of, or caring for, you. When truly supportive people offer feedback, they generally do so from a perspective of seeing you positively, and also sometimes noting areas where you might improve. So when someone consistently says or does things that emphasize your ignorance, flaws, or difficulties – and especially when they seem to be encouraging you to question your own sanity – there is a serious problem. Maybe the intent is malicious and they are gaslighting you. Maybe not. But the bottom line is that the relationship is destructive for you.
To complicate matters, people who gaslight others will occasionally be kind and supportive. They do this just enough to counter any doubt you have about their motives. But if you pause and think back over your interactions, you will find that they more often say and do things that cause you to question yourself.
Also, be mindful that a group of people can gaslight you. So, if you are feeling worn down by self-doubt in the presence of a group of interconnected people (such as co-workers or a group of “buddies”), check in with people from a different area of your life. Again, it’s important that the person is someone you experience as supportive; someone who usually leaves you feeling good about yourself.
The ultimate defense again someone gaslighting you is to not let any one person hold “the truth” about you. This includes you. Everyone has limitations and gets off balance sometimes. So, while it’s important to feel strongly grounded in your own perception of yourself and life, it’s also important to acknowledge your limitations. Seek out feedback from others to help guide you; but always be sure to assess whether that feedback resonates inside of you as accurate. This way you are allowing others to help you see what may be in your blind spots while also keeping yourself as the ultimate judge of your own reality.
Important:
The opinions expressed in WebMD Second Opinion are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD Second Opinion are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
Do not consider Second Opinion as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.