Gaslighting in Relationships: How Does it Affect Your Mental Health?

Gaslighting in a relationship can ruin your mental health. It is important to heal from it. Gaslighting is a form of psychological and emotional abuse in which one partner manipulates the other into questioning their own reality, memories and mental stability.

The victim's self assurance is gradually eroded by the abuser, leading them to doubt their own ideas, thoughts and actions. The victim may eventually become so reliant on the abuser's version of reality that they look for the abuser's approval in order to feel right.

The abuser will tell the victim that you are overreacting or too sensitive, or that their cruel actions were just a joke. They will attempt to minimize their abusive conduct or portray you as the bad person by distorting facts and discussions. They will try to blame you for their actions or argue that they wouldn't have done them if you had acted differently.

It could impact badly on your mental health. The victim starts to believe the misconception, the abuser feeds into the victim's mind and that's where the victim needs help. Even when you don't believe you've done anything wrong, you often apologize to your partner. You feel as though you've lost a piece of yourself and are no longer the happy, upbeat person you once were.

The healing is crucial. Prioritize self care by engaging in activities like journaling and exercise, re-establish your self trust by establishing clear boundaries and making simple choices and seek assistance from a therapist or trusted family members in order to recover from gaslighting. (Disclaimer: Given the input is on an information basis, please seek professional advice.)