Gaslighting. Do you know what it means? No…it’s not what happens when you fart near a lighted match.
Take a peep at the origin of the term:
I swear, I don’t care how old this movie is, I know I’ve dated this guy. Turd! How many men have tried to break you down, told you you were crazy and had you ready to sit in a corner and chew your fingers clean off your hands? I have to say though, this chick is so needy I’m ready to throw a barrel of pennies at her.
Seriously, more of us have been influenced by this kind of behavior not just with men, but with friends, family and children. (In mean, HOW MANY times have your kids farted and blamed it on the dog, and said YOU were nuts, even though your can CLEARLY see that swarm of flies gathering around their bottoms?)
So I’m reading The Gaslight Effect by Dr. Robin Stern. I’m not finished with it yet, but so far, it’s an interesting read. She gives a checklist in her book that might, kinda, if you squint, be something a few of you can relate to:
There’s more, but you get the gist.
First and foremost, Gaslighting is ABUSE, straight up, no chaser. Here’s a playlist of the Gaslighter’s secret weapons, according to the good gaslight Dr. Stern:
What do you find most painful? Your gaslighter is an expert at using that sore spot as his secret weapon. He may:
Perhaps Eddie Murphy did it best:
Trust me, no sex is worth loosing your marbles for. But if you believe that you may be a victim, take one of these and then call me in the morning.
Discuss!