Identify "The Gaslight Effect" and Take Back Your Reality !

In my book The Gaslight Effect: how to spot and survive the hidden manipulation others use to control your life, I describe an imbalance of power in an all too familiar, yet often subtle, kind of power-play. In this situation, the more powerful gaslighter attempts to define the reality of a less powerful gaslightee, and the person in the one-down position allows that to happen. As a result, the gaslightee begins to second-guess herself because she has allowed another person to define her reality and erode her judgment. She has given over her power. (I use "she" because that is the pairing I see most often; but, women can be gaslighters too, and men, gaslightees)

I wrote the book because I witnessed this dynamic for years in my private practice, and, among my friends. I saw even the most successful of women, come unglued -- not to mention the thousands, if not millions of men, women and children, whose heads are spinning because someone is aggressively challenging their reality.

This dynamic—I call it the Gaslight Tango—occurs in all different types of relationships: at the office, in our friendships, between parents and children, and, between siblings. It is a form of psychological abuse.

The powerful gaslighter (he has power both because he asserts it and because the gaslightee gives it to him!) engages in an ongoing, systematic knocking down of the other, less powerful, person, purposely controlling the relationship by telling the other that there is something wrong with the way she sees the world or there's something wrong with who she is. Meanwhile, the gaslightee, by agreeing with him or allowing his perceptions define hers, over time, loses confidence, feels unsure and experiences a growing shakiness of self. Gradually, the gaslightee begins to question what she thought she knew, and gives up the power to stand in her own reality.

Recently, I was giving a talk about gaslighting—many people in the audience had an "aha" experience - then, when I said that there is good news about this destructive tango, they were very confused. But, I want to highlight the good news, in this, my first blog post. The good news is that once you can identify and name the Gaslight Effect, you are empowered to recognize it and heal your relationship—or change it! Then you can reclaim your reality and, along with it, your self-esteem and your life.

A few quick tips: If you are dancing the Gaslight Tango: opt out of the power struggles; avoid the right-wrong debates; use silence instead of commenting when someone is provoking you; write down your dialogues, then, take a look at them, at another time; talk to a trusted friend; trust your gut,if something feels wrong, it is wrong for you!

Please check out my book for more strategies - and, look for my future posts on power in relationships.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Robin