7 signs you are being gaslighted

Gaslighting is a type of manipulation where the manipulator is trying to get someone else (or a group of people) to question their own reality, memory or perceptions. 

Relationship red flags can take many different forms. These warning signs don’t always have to be immediately apparent, and they don’t usually include physical abuse or violence. Even though some forms of abuse and manipulation in relationships can be harder to spot and more covert, they can nonetheless have a long-lasting impact on a person’s sense of value and self-esteem.

Below are some red flags that will tell you that you are being gaslighted:

You are always apologizing.
It’s not just a Canadian stereotype—if you find yourself apologizing for everything from interrupting someone to expressing your opinion, you’ll want to consider whether or not your apologies go beyond common courtesy. If you’re apologizing for who you are, then you may have developed a fear of the consequences of this self-expression.

Each and every minute, you are always saying sorry because you are too scared that you may end up losing your relationship.

Being told you are too insecure
A common gaslighting tactic is to diminish a person’s feelings of anger, discomfort, and dissatisfaction in both social and professional environments.

‘Don’t worry about it; why are you so petty? There’s nothing to worry about; my advice is to immediately take your leave.

Becoming more indecisive
When you start believing that your opinion, your expertise, and your decisions don’t matter, you may become extremely indecisive. Self-sufficiency comes with the ability to make decisions that improve your own circumstances.

Being told you are overreacting
You’re overreacting” is a common phrase used in conflict scenarios. However, it has become clear that this term is frequently used as a form of manipulation when women and marginalized communities express dissent and disapproval of oppressive, patriarchal systems. This type of gaslighting, for women in particular, has kept their emotions and acts of resistance under control to uphold the stereotype that women are submissive and even-tempered.

Not trusting your instincts
When you act against your intuition and do something that doesn’t sit right with you, you get a certain sense. It’s important to pay attention to this feeling if it occurs to you when you’re with your partner, parent, or other close relative. If you find it difficult to be yourself and feel as though you are being cautious with everything you say and do, there may be a major problem that needs to be addressed. However, this may not always mean that you are being gaslighted.

Suffering from low self-esteem
This may not be a telltale sign that you’re being gaslighted, but many people who experience emotional abuse internalize criticism by actually believing it and the insults that are directed at them. If someone repeatedly tells you that you’re bad with money or comments that you just can’t seem to keep the weight off, after a certain point, you start to believe them.

Not entirely believing in yourself
Second-guessing yourself comes with territory if you’ve been emotionally abused and manipulated into questioning your own self-worth and value. In workplaces where microaggressions and racial gaslighting are prevalent, professionals from marginalized communities experience feelings of inadequacy and frequently have their expertise and skills questioned.

https://spmbuzz.com/signs-of-unhealthy-relationships/