Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that leaves a person doubting their own perceptions, feelings, & even sanity. It occurs when someone manipulates another person into questioning their own reality, making them feel like they are losing their mind. Gaslighting is a common tactic used by abusers, & it often occurs within families.
Gaslighting families work to convince everyone that everything that happens in their family is normal & good, including abuse. Those subjected to it grow up thinking, “Am I the only one who feels like this is wrong?” “Am I crazy?” “Why am I upset about this?” This leads to intense self-l doubt & has long term effects on a person’s mental health.
Today, we’ll discuss some signs that you grew up with gaslighting, & some tips on how to counter the effects of this cruel form of emotional abuse.
Gaslighting can take many forms, & it’s not always easy to recognize when it’s happening. There are some signs that you may have grown up with gaslighting…
You constantly question your own reality: If you find yourself constantly questioning your own beliefs & perceptions, it is a sign that you grew up with gaslighting.
You feel like you’re always walking on eggshells: If you feel like you need to be careful about what you say or do around certain people, it’s a sign that you grew up with gaslighting.
You have a hard time trusting your own instincts: Gaslighting makes you doubt your own instincts & intuition. This leads to confusion & uncertainty, which makes it hard to make decisions.
If you grew up with gaslighting, there are things you can do to counter the effects of this form of emotional abuse.
Understand reality: Gaslighting can make it hard to know what’s real & what’s not. To counter this, try to look at things logically without emotion & see if things make sense.
Distance yourself from the gaslighting: If possible, distance yourself from the people who are gaslighting you. This can help you to gain perspective & clarity.
Ask safe people for their thoughts: It can be helpful to talk to people you trust about your experiences. They can provide a different perspective & help you to see things more clearly.
Pray for clarity: Prayer is invaluable when dealing with the effects of gaslighting. Ask God to give you clarity & help you to see the truth & to see things as they really are.
Gaslighting is an especially malicious form of emotional abuse that can have long lasting effects on a person’s mental health. If you grew up with gaslighting, it’s important to recognize the signs & take steps to counter the effects. By understanding reality, distancing yourself from the gaslighting, asking safe people for their thoughts, & praying for clarity, you can begin to heal from the effects of this form of emotional abuse.
Cynthia Bailey-Rug, Christian Author 
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