Truth is, there are so many dating terms nowadays, it’s tough for us to keep up with what’s what. There’s breadcrumbing which refers to a person who gives you just enough ‘crumbs’ of attention or affection to give you hope and keep you on the hook. Then, there’s benching which involves keeping someone on the sideline as an option when you’re either not ready to commit or simply don’t feel strongly enough about them to go much further.
But, out of all the terms that have been trending, there is one particular term that’s being thrown around a lot. Enter ‘gaslighting’. The term first originated from the 1938 play Gaslight (1944 film adaptation), where the protagonist’s husband slowly manipulated her into believing she’s going mad.
Gaslighting in summary, is basically a form of emotional abuse and manipulation that undermines the recipient’s reality and is meant to leave them feeling insecure, unsure about themselves, and at times, questioning their sanity. Now, does that sound familiar to you?
While it’s possible to gaslight in almost any situation, including at work, gaslighting is most common in relationships.
A gaslighter messes with your head by twisting and turning things so much that it eventually feels like things are always your fault and you’re not good enough for them. The mind games they play are emotionally draining on their ‘victim’ and, while it can work both ways, it’s usually men who do this. Here are seven ways to tell if your partner is gaslighting you.