This information is from my Domestic Violence Course, my own experiences, research and down loads from source it can not be copied or taken as it is copyrighted by all authors and course providers and myself.

So what is gas-lighting?

It is a hidden form of mental and emotional abuse. It is done to make a victim doubt themselves and their sanity. Another reason it is done is to control and to manipulate you. Often the person doing it will be charming and seductive. But it is important that you listen to you own intuition as to what is right. You will feel confused and overwhelmed and wonder if you are at fault here. You will doubt yourself and have guilty feelings but don’t! It can take place at work or in any kind of relationship. You might be told things like you are ungrateful, overly sensitive, stupid, insecure, crazy or even abusive, but don’t believe any of this cause its not true. Gas-lighting is very damaging to your self-esteem and your self confidence your well being too. You may judge and blame yourself but don’t, remember the other person is at fault always. Sometimes the abuser will try to make you dependant on them. They might use put downs or even intimidate you to keep you quite, and close to them. Gas-lighting is a common technique used by abusers, dictators, narcissists, and cult-leaders to control others. Being around them you may feel paranoid, mentally unstable, silly, unhinged, no ability to make your own judgements, minimised, imbalanced, irrational and stressed out.

Here are some of the signs that gas-lighting is being used on you.

They tell lies

They will deny what they said to you before.

They will deny what matters to you to hurt and attack you.

You will be worn down

Sometimes they will use positive reinforcement to confuse you, and make you feel they care about you.

You will feel very confused and overwhelmed and disorientated.

They will accuse you of what they are doing to you.

They will make other people disbelieve you and be against you.

They will tell other people that you are crazy and mad, with mental health problems.

They will make other people think you are lying.

You will feel that something is “off” about the person but you will not know or be sure of what it is.

You will feel threatened and on edge.

You will feel that you are not good enough.

You will think that there is something terribly wrong with you.

You will no longer trust yourself, and your own judgement.

You will lose your own confidence in yourself.

You will feel guilty.

You are afraid to say what you think or feel.

If you are receiving this kind of treatment then it is important to speak out and to get all of the facts out, to not stay quiet. Get yourself lots of help and support from mental health, or counsellors, so that you are not alone. Talk to a mental health worker or social worker, counsellor, who can support you. Try to record or get evidence of the gas-lighting going on so you have a record of it happening to you. You can also keep a record of it in a diary to show you have the proof what was said when and where at what time. You could use this as evidence in court if needed.