Examples of Gaslighting

After you know what is gaslighting, you would definitely urge for an example. Gaslighting isn’t just about flickering lights and old horror movies. It’s when someone tries to mess with your head by hiding the truth, distorting facts, and making you doubt your own sanity. 

Gaslighting in the Workplace

Here’s a scenario: your work partner drops the ball on a project, and it’s throwing off your groove. You gather the courage to talk about it, but their responses might give you a hint that gaslighting is in the mix. 

• The Liar: “Oh, I totally sent you that report. Maybe your inbox’s playing hide and seek?”
• The Redirect Master: “I think someone else on the team was handling that. Are you sure you remember who you asked?”
• Mr. Denial: “Nope, that wasn’t on my plate. I’d have it on my to-do list, but look, nada!”
• Silent Signals: Ever had someone give you the side-eye, sigh loudly, or roll their eyes but pretend they didn’t? Yeah, that’s a classic gaslighting move too.

Gaslighting in Romantic Relationships

What is gaslighting in romantic relationship? Researchers have discovered that gaslighting tends to pop up more often in heterosexual relationships, where guys sometimes pull the strings. For instance, a guy might play into old-school stereotypes, like labeling women as “overly emotional” or saying they “can’t make up their minds.” It’s like they’re twisting things to make their partner doubt their own reality.

A study by the National Domestic Violence Hotline also found that 74% of adult females who’ve been through domestic violence have also faced gaslighting from their partner or ex-partner. That’s a red flag that we should all be aware of.

Gaslighting and Race

For example, someone might brush off someone else’s experiences of racial microaggressions with a dismissive, “Oh, that wasn’t about race. You’re totally overreacting.” Yeah, not cool at all.

Gaslighting in Medicine

Picture this: you’re visiting your doctor, sharing your concerns about how you’ve been feeling. But instead of being heard and understood, you’re met with skepticism. This happens to some women when their doctors brush off their worries as mere overreactions. It’s like they’re using an old, not-so-great stereotype that women are overly emotional or irrational. This can make you doubt your own body and mind, leaving you feeling frustrated and unheard.

Gaslighting in Politics

Imagine a politician brushing off their mistakes or pointing fingers at opponents instead of owning up. They might even stir up controversies to distract you from what really matters. And since they’ve got the spotlight, their manipulation can easily sway a crowd. Guess what? You encountered political gaslighting.

Gaslighting in the Legal System

Think child custody battles and sexual assault cases. It’s like a trap, leaving victims vulnerable and discrediting their voices. Even well-intentioned police officers, judges, and juries can unwittingly become accomplices in this manipulation.

Gaslighting of Transgender People

Imagine someone trying to tell you who you are or who you should be. Not cool, right? For transgender individuals, this can be a real struggle. Some people might try to convince them that something’s wrong with their feelings or identity. That’s like telling a square peg it should fit into a round hole – it just doesn’t work. Even in smaller ways, like a parent suggesting different clothes for comfort, it can make someone doubt their choices.

Gaslighting on Social Media

Imagine seeing a post by a famous person or just someone random on your feed that makes you question things you’ve always believed in. This can happen to women collectively – those little seeds of doubt planted by someone’s words. Suddenly, you’re wondering, “Am I overthinking this?” or “Is my perspective way off?” It’s like a whirlwind of confusion that can mess with your confidence.

Also Read:

• Empathy Mapping: What is an Empathy Map?
• 9 Ways to Deal with Imposter Syndrome and Achieve Success

What is gaslighting: Ever had that one person in your life who just drives you up the wall? You know, the type that leaves you scratching your head after every conversation, wondering what just happened to your thoughts and beliefs? Or maybe you’ve got someone who somehow manages to make you feel like a crumpled piece of paper after each chat, and you’re left wondering, “What’s up with that?” Now, this person’s impact on you might be as clear as day or sneakier than a ninja.

They might be the human equivalent of a horror movie, making your heart race for all the wrong reasons. Or, as you read this post, you might suddenly realize that a certain someone in your life has been sneakily sowing self-doubt in your mind – and you hadn’t even connected the dots till now. Gaslighting, my friend, can take on all these forms.

So, let’s take a plunge into the world of gaslighting – what it is, those telltale signs you should never ignore, and, yep, some real-life examples. Armed with this know-how, you’ll be ready to tackle any gaslighting that comes your way like a pro. Let’s dive in!