✨Gas Lighting

What is it? Where Does the Term Gaslighting Come From?

What Is Gaslighting?

The term “gaslighting” originates from a 1930s play called Gas Light (released as Angel Street in the U.S.). In the story, a husband manipulates his wife into thinking she’s going insane. He subtly alters their environment—like dimming the gaslights in their home—and when she notices and mentions it, he insists she’s imagining things.

The result? She begins to question her own perception of reality.

By the 1960s, “gaslighting” evolved into a recognized term for this kind of psychological manipulation. It’s often seen in intimate partner violence (IPV) but can also occur in other close relationships—between parents and children, caregivers and the elderly, even within friendships or workplaces.

Gaslighting isn’t just emotional manipulation—it’s a form of psychological abuse. The abuser’s goal is simple but devastating: to make the victim doubt their own thoughts, memories, and perceptions. Over time, the victim begins to feel like they’re “crazy,” unable to trust their own mind.

This confusion gives the abuser power.
If the victim no longer trusts their own reality, they begin to rely on the abuser’s version of events. They may lose the confidence to make decisions, defend themselves, or seek help.

And the consequences can be serious.

In extreme cases, victims are labeled as unstable or mentally unwell in medical or legal settings, which can lead to loss of rights, control over finances, custody battles, and even involuntary psychiatric holds—all while the abuser remains in control.

Gaslighting is strategic. It's dangerous.
And worst of all—it works.

Breaking Up with a Gaslighter

Breaking up with a gaslighter isn’t just a breakup—it’s an emotional warzone.

For the person trying to leave, it can be draining on every level. You may feel a whirlwind of anger, confusion, sadness, guilt, and frustration, often all at once. And just when you start to gain clarity, the gaslighter pulls you back in with their familiar tactics: manipulation, denial, deception, and blame.

They’ll twist your words, rewrite history, and paint themselves as the victim.

You’ll start to question:
“Was it really that bad?”
“Maybe I’m overreacting.”
“Did I make this up in my head?”

That’s exactly what they want.

A gaslighter doesn’t just fear losing you—they fear losing control over you. So when faced with a breakup, they often respond with an arsenal of manipulation: distorting reality, love-bombing, guilt-tripping, or launching personal attacks to wear you down.

That’s what makes separating from a gaslighter so hard—it’s not just the loss of the relationship, it’s the psychological tug-of-war that comes with trying to reclaim your own reality.

Leaving takes more than courage.
It takes emotional resilience, a support system, and often, professional guidance.

But no matter how hard it is—you can do it.
And on the other side of the chaos is something a gaslighter can never offer you: peace, truth, and freedom.

Example of Gaslighting

Imagine this:
I hand you a banana—but insist it’s an apple.
You clearly see it’s a banana, yellow peel and all, but I look you dead in the eye and say, “It’s an apple. Why are you being so difficult?”

You resist, pointing out what’s obvious. I respond with,
“Wow, why are you always starting fights?”...
...“You’re so sensitive.”...
...“Here we go again—you never listen.”...

Suddenly, you're second-guessing yourself.
Is it a banana?
Am I overreacting?
Maybe I misunderstood...

You apologize—not because you were wrong, but because you're confused, uncomfortable, and trying to keep the peace. You begin to trust me more than your own eyes. That’s how gaslighting works.

In this moment, I—the gaslighter—have successfully made you doubt your perception of reality. You’ve started to believe that I define what’s true. And that confusion? That self-doubt? It gives me even more control over you the next time.

Common Signs of Gaslighting:

Gaslighting can happen in stages, and common tactics include:

Denying reality: The gaslighter denies events or statements to confuse you.
Lying: Gaslighters lie with such conviction that it makes you doubt the truth.
Projection: They accuse others of the gaslighter’s own faults.
Isolation: Gaslighters manipulate you to turn against friends or family, making you more dependent on them.
Inconsistent actions: Their actions don’t match their words, making you question your perception of reality.

Escaping a Gaslighter:

It’s vital to:

Stay aware: Pay attention to details, write them down in a journal—this helps protect you later.
Build belief in yourself: Gaslighters aim to make you doubt your core beliefs and memories. Look yourself in the mirror every day and remind yourself that you have your back, you are not crazy, and you are strong.
Keep it simple: Don't engage in lengthy explanations with them. Remember, they don't care; their goal is for you to question yourself. Explaining why you are right will only enrage them. The less you give them to manipulate, the better.
Remember, it’s not your fault. Their goal is to confuse you, to hurt you, to make you question your worth. They’ll blame you, put you down, and twist the story until you start to believe you did something wrong.

But you didn’t. You didn’t deserve the manipulation. You didn’t deserve the pain.

Remind yourself:
You are not the problem.
You are worthy of love, respect, and peace.
You deserve better—and it’s okay to walk away in pursuit of that better.
Don’t try to “win”: Don’t engage in a battle of wits. It could escalate the situation and cause further harm.
Don’t look back: When you leave, they will fight to make it seem like you were the problem. Leave and focus on yourself.

Recovering from the Damage

Chronic stress from constant manipulation—like gaslighting—can deeply affect your brain. But here’s the good news: healing is possible.

Certain vitamins and supplements can support your brain’s recovery.
• Vitamin D and B12 help boost mood and energy levels.
• MCT oil supports cognitive function.
• DLPA (DL-Phenylalanine) may help restore emotional balance and reduce emotional pain.

Many survivors are prescribed SSRIs (antidepressants), and while they may offer short-term relief, they often don’t address the root issue—and in some cases, side effects can worsen symptoms like anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts.

That’s why it's so important to explore natural support, nutritional healing, and lifestyle changes to truly restore peace and balance in your brain and life.

🧠 Want more tips on how to take your healing into your own hands?
Check out my blogs:
• Mental Health = Brain Health
• Lifestyle Hacks for Healing

You’re not broken—you’re healing. And you’re allowed to take your power back, one step at a time.

Long-Term Effects of Gaslighting:

Anxiety
Depression
PTSD
Brain damage
Suicidal ideation
Low self-esteem

Awareness of Gaslighting in the Medical World:

Gaslighting isn’t limited to personal relationships; it can also occur in medical settings, especially with mental health diagnoses. Some doctors may dismiss your symptoms because old tests or outdated beliefs suggest you’re fine. This can lead to improper treatment, making it harder to get the help you need.

✨Stay Strong✨Keep Fighting✨

( Original manuscript was run through ChatCPT to "fix/edit")