If you’ve read any of our articles before, you know that we talk about a lot of things here, such as love, breakups, depression, dating advice, mistakes that people who are in a relationship usually make, and so many other things.

In today’s article, we will discuss something a little bit different that many people have experienced during their relationships. With that being said, our objective today is to understand the phenomenon called gaslighting and its red flags.

Gaslighting is the name of a certain type of psychological manipulation, in which someone seeks to grow tiny seeds of doubt in a particular person or members of a targeted group.

As a result, the victims start to question their own perception, memory, and even sanity. They don’t have doubts regarding their own beliefs and behavior.

This term became well-known in 1944, after the release of the popular movie “Gaslight”, which reveals the story of a man who is constantly trying to manipulate his wife.

After being brainwashed for so long, she starts to consider herself a crazy woman. Even though she tries to defend and protect her own person, her partner does the complete opposite.

We were curious to find out more about this weird thing that actually exists in real life. We’ve talked to several dating and love experts who shared their pieces of knowledge with us.

The movie mentioned above also tackled a very serious topic, which is what we know as the Stockholm Syndrome, in which the victims are actually dependent on their mockers.

Here are 6 signs you’ve been a victim of gaslighting.

1. Constantly Finding Problems

The first thing that the experts mentioned is the fact that gaslighters tend to find something wrong in everything you do, particularly in your favorite activities.

For instance, if you are passionate about your job, they will find a way to give off the impression that you’re actually not that good at it. In addition to that, they can also turn you against the people you love the most.

That is because you will be dispossessed of the support of your close friends and family and you will be more exposed and sensitive to their influence and manipulation.

2. They Exhaust You Mentally 

Another thing that gaslighters usually do is that they make you emotionally exhausted. They tend to blame you for every single thing that they don’t like, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and tired.

After that, they might say something nice, so that you’ll think they aren’t that bad. However, this is only something temporary, until they take it back from the top.

3. They Try To Change You

According to experts, one of the most drastic side effects of gaslighting is the fact that you might end up being a totally different person than you were at the beginning of the relationship.

Several studies discovered that even the people who were extremely confident ended up with insecurities without even knowing the reason why.

4. They Make You Confused

People who tend to gaslight are not honest and they don’t tell you what they actually have on their minds. As a result, the victim is in constant doubt regarding their partners’ needs and they don’t have a clue of what might happen next.

In the end, the one who will suffer the most is the victim, because they will be more prone to having insecurities, doubts, and unanswered questions.

5. They Constantly Lie 

These types of people are natural liars! They don’t have a problem saying something that is not actually true. They make the victim think that everything the abuser does is true and necessary, and they end up doubting their own person. Unfortunately, that is the main objective that the gaslighter has.

6. Their Words Don’t Match Their Actions

Gaslighters like to talk and promise things, but they are not going to keep their promises. When it comes to being confronted or asked about those certain things, they deny everything and say that you don’t remember how things happened.

If you think that someone is trying to gaslight you, pay attention to their words and actions because they tend to not match! All these signs mentioned in this article are very important in cases like this, so make sure you choose your partner well!

…If relationships are one of your favorite topics, we have a recommendation for you: 10 Common Foods That Don’t Get You ‘In the Mood’!