15: Gaslighting: A Narcissist’s Favorite Way to Manipulate Reality
- Gemma Gladstone
- November 26, 2020
We have the second part of our series discussion on narcissism today, and we’re talking about gaslighting. Gaslighting commonly gets used as a form of verbal, emotional, or psychological abuse. Being on the receiving end of gaslighting can feel awful, and it can make you question your sanity.
In this episode, we will be talking about how and when gaslighting occurs, what it is, what it means, and why people do it.
The term gaslighting comes from a play, which later got made into a movie called Gaslight, starring Ingrid Bergman. In it, a young woman who recently inherited a lot of wealth marries a very charismatic and charming man. He has a hidden agenda right from the start, and he slowly and systematically makes his wife feel as though she is losing touch with reality and losing her mind. The husband in the movie could be described as a malignant narcissist and he uses gaslighting as a tactic of control to get what he wants. Be sure to listen in today to find out all you need to know about gaslighting and how it gets used to manipulate your perception of reality.
Show highlights:
- Why the term “gaslighting” has become so popular lately.
- The definition of gaslighting.
- The goal of the person doing the gaslighting.
- The various levels at which gaslighting can get used.
- Why people use gaslighting.
- People who gaslight sometimes include other people in their game.
- Gaslighting could get used either intentionally or reflexively.
- Why narcissists tend to use gaslighting as a tactic.
- How narcissists use gaslighting as a strategy.
- The kind of harm that gaslighting can cause to the receiver.
- The schemas that make people vulnerable to gaslighting.
Links and resources:
The Good Mood Clinic website
Email Gemma and Justine at gemmaandjustine@goodmood.com.au
Go to the Good Mood Clinic website podcast page to download your free guide, which talks about the characteristics of an emotionally available partner.