As a result, they will often tear down or question various accomplishments.

Gaslighting partners often feel intimidated and jealous of their partner’s success. As a result, the emotionally manipulated partner often feels ashamed and may try to withhold their feelings altogether. They will also often get annoyed or make fun of them when they cry or show other emotional displays. Minimizing or Making Fun of FeelingsĪbusers will call their loved ones overly sensitive, critical, or dramatic. Unfortunately, this often causes their partners to feel like they’re overreacting or being too harsh. How could you think I was flirting with her when you’re the only one for me? Gaslighting partners will often sugarcoat toxic situations with kind platitudes as a way to distract their partners from their feelings. I love you so much, and you know I’d never intentionally hurt your feelings. 2 The gaslighting often starts slowly and then increases as time goes on.Įxamples of gaslighting in a relationship include: 1. It often feels like an insidious form of control, where the abuser uses a combination of direct and indirect methods to hurt their partners. Here are 20 examples of gaslighting in different scenarios: Examples of Gaslighting in a RelationshipĬommon in narcissistic, abusive, and toxic relationships, gaslighting partners distort reality to maintain power and authority in their relationships. Many times, it follows a typical pattern – one person will repeatedly gaslight another person, and it becomes an inherent part of an imbalance dynamic. It can happen at home, with friends, or in the workplace. Gaslighting is a rampant tactic in emotional abuse and narcissistic abuse. As a result, victims of gaslighting often feel confused, insecure, lonely, and afraid to trust themselves. Gaslighters mislead people to try to make them doubt their truth. Gaslighting entails intentionally twisting, changing, or otherwise distorting reality to manipulate how others think or feel.

Gaslight defenition