Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that can cause someone to doubt their own memories, feelings, perceptions or understanding of what has happened.
Someone who is gaslighting you may repeatedly deny things that happened, tell you that you are imagining things or suggest that your reactions are unreasonable.
Examples may include:
- Insisting that you said or did something when you know you did not
- Denying or dismissing events that you remember happening
- Telling you that you are "too sensitive" or "overreacting"
- Making you feel that your feelings or concerns are not valid
- Rewriting events or conversations so that you begin to question your own recollection
- Blaming you for their behaviour or suggesting that you caused their abusive behaviour
- Telling other people that you are confused, unstable or unable to understand what is happening
- Making you feel that you cannot trust your own judgement.
Gaslighting can make it difficult to recognise or describe what is happening. You may feel confused, isolated or unsure whether your experiences are valid.
If someone repeatedly makes you doubt yourself or your understanding of events, this does not mean that you are imagining what is happening.