With the rise of social media, certain psychological terms have become popular. There are various reasons for using these terms, but it’s important to understand their true meaning. One of them is gaslighting or psychological manipulation. What does it mean?
Gaslighting is a form of abuse or emotional manipulation in which the victim is manipulated into doubting their perception, judgment, or memory. The purposes of this type of manipulation include:
- Emotionally destabilizing the other person
- Making them depend on the abuser to interpret reality
- Creating constant doubt and guilt in the victim
Some examples include:
- “That never happened. You’re making it up.”
- “You’re overreacting, as always.”
- “You’re crazy, no one else sees it that way.”
- “Don’t be so sensitive.”
- “I never said that — you’re imagining things.”
When manipulation lasts over time, it can have long-term effects. Here they are:
Emotional and Cognitive Effects
Constant self-doubt
– The person begins to question their perception, memories, and decisions.
Mental confusion
– A persistent feeling of being “lost,” confused, or unsure about what is real.
Loss of self-confidence
– Difficulty making decisions without external approval.
Low self-esteem
– The person feels inadequate, incapable, or incompetent.
Unjustified shame and guilt
– A tendency to feel responsible for everything that goes wrong.
Emotional and Behavioral Effects
Chronic anxiety
– Constant nervousness, hypervigilance, and fear of doing or saying something wrong.
Sadness or depression
– Feelings of hopelessness or lack of interest in things once enjoyed.
Isolation
– The victim may withdraw from friends or family out of shame, or because the abuser encourages it.
Emotional dependence
– A constant need for the manipulator’s approval.
Feelings of madness or instability
– As if they’re “going crazy” due to the contradictions they experience.
If you are facing this situation with a close relative, partner, coworker, or someone else, seek help to strengthen your self-esteem, rebuild your confidence, and begin healing.
OpenAI. (2025). Psychological Effects of Gaslighting. Generated with the assistance of ChatGPT. https://chat.openai.com
