Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual making them question their own perceptions, memory and sanity.
1. They tell you or others that you are crazy.
This is one of the master techniques a gaslighter uses because it's dismissive. They know that if they question your sanity, people will not believe you when you tell them about the abuse going on. It's one of the most effective tools of the gaslighter.
2. They try to align people against you.
Gaslighters are masters at manipulation and they find others to stand by them and use these people against you. Comments like "they know that you're not in your right mind" "this person knows you're sick in the head" are commonly used by gaslighters. However just because they said it doesn't mean these people actually said these things. One thing you should know is a gaslighter is a constant liar. Using this tactic by the gaslighter makes you feel like you don't know who to trust or turn to- which often leads you back to the gaslighter. Isolation gives them more control and is what they crave.
3. They wear you down over time.
Gaslighting is done gradually over time. It starts with a lie here and there along with a belittling comment every now and again and eventually starts to ramp up. Gaslighting is so effective that even smart, educated, self aware people can get sucked into the trap. From my own personal experiences, both my mom and dad used gaslighting on me since I can remember. I didn't know anything different and I assumed all parents acted this way. When gaslighting happens from a young age, it works even better because the victim doesn't know any better or anything different.
4. They deny everything, even when you have proof.
Even though you know they said they would do XYZ, they straight out deny it. This makes you start questioning your own reality and start accepting theirs. The more they do this the more effective of a tactic it is.
5. Their actions do not match their words.
What a gaslighter says means nothing as it's just talk. You always have to look at what they are doing rather than what they are saying and read in between the lines. What they are doing is the issue.
6. They tell lies constantly.
Even though you know what they are saying is a lie, they tell it to you with a straight face. Why do gaslighter do this? They are setting up a huge lie. Once this happens you are not sure if anything they say or do is true. This keeps you unsteady and is their main goal.
7. They use what is important to you as ammunition.
They start by attacking the foundation of your being: like your identity, your personality, your character. They focus on your negative traits and tell you you'd be worthy if you didn;t have them.
8. They know confusion weakens people.
Gaslighters want to uproot and make you question everything. They know that people like having a sense of stability in their day to day lives. Our natural tendency as humans is looking for stability and oftentimes it happens to be the gaslighter.
9. They know positive reinforcement to confuse you.
They throw you off balance by praising something you did. They make you think and question your decision "maybe they aren't as bad as I thought." In reality, YES they are! They want you to question your reality to gain control over you.
10. They tell you everyone else is a liar.
They continue to make you question your own reality by telling you that everyone else except for them is a liar. This is another manipulation technique that makes victims turn back to the gaslighter trap.
11. They project.
You know they are an alcoholic, a drug user or a cheater; yet they accuse you of those things. This is an attempt to distract you from the gaslighter's own behavior as you are too busy defending yourself to notice.
Have you experienced any of these 11 signs? If so, which ones?
Going through a spiritual awakening?
During an awakening, it may be useful to have some professional guidance: someone who can confidently, patiently and without judgement help us, step by step through the healing process. If you are in need of someone to talk with about triggers, past trauma, childhood wounds or repressed emotions. I am available for online booking please contact me directly at: fromanotherealm@gmail.com
Face whatever is holding you back head on and it no longer has power over you, you have power over it! Awareness and anything can't co exist. Awareness is more powerful than your ego, your emotions, your thoughts and your feelings. Awareness is what gets you back home to your soul purpose.
You can use your pain and turn it into power. If you are willing to work on where your pain comes from, the lesson to be learned and turn your knowledge into action, you can use your suffering to turn you into a stronger and wiser person! I look forward to working with you on your spiritual journey.
Love & Light,
Namaste ~ Paulina
Hello, my name is Paulina. I went through a spiritual awakening journey in 2018. I am in touch with my higher self and want to help you find yours. Until your higher self kicks in let me be your guide back home. Book 1:1 sessions with me: fromanotherealm@gmail.com
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