Gaslighting is Meant to Make You Crazy

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Gaslighting is Meant to Make You Crazy
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Video: Bipolar Disorder Help: 5 Reasons Why Many Don’t Seek It Out
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

Gaslighting is Meant to Make You Crazy

Gaslighting is a cruel and manipulative form of emotional abuse. The term “gaslighting” comes from a 1938 play (and subsequent film adaptations) by Patrick Hamilton entitled “Gas Light.”

In the play, a husband leads his wife along a convoluted path of deception and lies. To have her inheritance to himself, he needs his wife out of the picture, locked into what was then called an insane asylum. To convince her that she is indeed crazy, he plays mind games, such as turning down the gas lamps in the house and convincing her that she’s imagining or forgetting things (Here are some examples of gaslighting and how to respond.)

The play was so chilling that the title became synonymous with abusive behavior that seeks to control someone fully and completely, essentially making him or her a puppet (Gaslighting: Designed to Destroy Your Sanity).

Is someone in your life trying to control you by sneakily and insidiously making you question your own thoughts and perceptions? Because it happens so gradually, you might not realize what’s going on. A few things to watch for:

• Do you think someone is lying to you, but when you mention it, the person turns the lies on you?
• Do you find yourself questioning yourself often?
• Do you feel that you have no control in the relationship?
• Do you feel like you’re slowly losing your mind?

Gaslighting is harmful. Find at least one person you trust and begin to share what you’re experiencing.

Related Articles Dealing with Gaslighting

• Gaslighting Defined by Types of Gaslighters
• Gaslighting: Emotional Abuse and Manipulation
• What is Gaslighting? What Does It Mean To Be Gaslighted?

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: If you’ve been a victim of gaslighting, what brought you to the conclusion that your abuser was at fault? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page and on the HealthyPlace Google+ page.

From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• What is it Like Waking Up with Bipolar Disorder?
• What Makes a Good Borderline Personality Disorder Therapist?
• Overwhelmed? Divide Your Tasks Into Smaller Ones
• Creating Projects With Your Favorite Hobbies Can Improve Mood and Motivation
• Listening to Music Helps with My Schizoaffective Disorder
• Social Life Problems of Being Single at Thirty-Something
• Safety Behaviors with Social Anxiety: Helpful or Harmful?
• The Importance of Routine Self-Care with Depression
• Demi Lovato’s Drug Addiction Relapse -- What Can We Learn?
• Weight Restoration: How to Conquer that Fear in ED Recovery
• 5 Tips to Get Out of a Funk
• How to Make Moving Less Stressful
• Do We Owe Anybody Our Self-Harm Stories?
• Alcohol and Low Self-Esteem: Is Drinking Your Crutch?
• ADHD and Transitions: Why Change Is Tough and How to Deal
• Tech Abuse: The Abuse of Technology in Domestic Violence

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

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From HealthyPlace YouTube Channel

I'm Hannah. I Have Bipolar 2

Bipolar Disorder Help: 5 Reasons Why Many Don’t Seek It Out

Bipolar disorder help. Why is it that many people with bipolar disorder don't seek out help when they need it the most?. (Watch Hannah and subscribe to the HealthyPlace YouTube channel for more great mental health videos.)

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Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. Overcoming Your Fear of Addiction Recovery
2. Does Having PTSD Make You Violent?
3. Reasons Your Therapist Will Break Confidentiality

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

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Mental Health Quote

"Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave."

Read more abuse quotes.

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