Thoughtful businesswoman using a smartphone
The term “gaslighting” describes when one person psychologically manipulates another person into questioning their own sanity. Gaslighting is mentally very dangerous and can have negative long-term consequences.
If you are experiencing this, know that you are not alone. Reach out to a mental health professional for help and begin your healing journey. As you start to work with a therapist or other mental health care provider, here are a few suggestions to get you started on your recovery.
Affirm Your Feelings and Opinions
Gaslighting makes you question everything. To work through that, affirm what you are feeling. Start small and acknowledge even small things like hunger or thirst. Instead of pushing feelings or thoughts aside, make a point of acknowledging them. Do the same with your opinions and thoughts. You are allowed an opinion. Acknowledge it.
Keep a Journal
Journaling can be an amazing outlet for your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can also help you to track patterns. This can help you to keep track of when gaslighting is occurring and the details surrounding it. Use that information to explain what you are going through to a mental health professional. The more information you can supply to a professional, the better they will be able to help you.
Practice Mindfulness
Try to stay in the moment and be present. Acknowledge your feelings as you feel them. If a situation makes you angry or sad, then acknowledge that feeling and analyze your situation. Gaslighting minimizes your thoughts and feelings. Fight through that by acknowledging everything that you think and feel.
Secure Support
Having a solid support system will get you through tough times. Your support system may include friends or family members. They would be people with whom you feel safe and comfortable.
Talk to those people about what you are experiencing and take in their thoughts and suggestions. Others may find support with a mental health professional. Regardless of who you seek for support, try to better understand the gaslighting, work through your struggles, and improve your situation.
Gaslighting can be very dangerous for a person’s mental well-being. Being able to recognize gaslighting when it occurs and how it is affecting you is essential. Try to stay in the moment and acknowledge your feelings as they occur. Keep track of gaslighting by writing down what is happening and what you are feeling, and seek out professional support. Here at The Guest House, we educate people about their mental health and how situations such as gaslighting affect them. We are here to help. Call us today to learn more about our treatment options at (855) 483-7800.