Long term effects of being gaslit for 9 months...
The long-term effects of being gaslighted for 9 months can be severe and damaging. Based on the search results, some of the key long-term effects include:
Anxiety and depression: Prolonged gaslighting can lead to feelings of overwhelming self-doubt, confusion, and instability, which can manifest as anxiety and depression over time.
Trauma and low self-esteem: The constant undermining of one's perceptions and sense of reality can cause lasting trauma and severely damage self-esteem. Victims may come to rely on the gaslighter to validate their own experiences.
Codependency: As the victim loses trust in their own judgment, they can become emotionally enmeshed and codependent on the gaslighter, making it very difficult to leave the abusive situation.
Difficulty trusting others: The experience of having one's reality systematically distorted can make it hard for victims to trust their own senses and judgments, as well as the perceptions of others, even after the gaslighting ends.
Lasting psychological harm: Prolonged gaslighting can lead to long-term psychological damage, including anxiety, depression, and trauma that may require professional treatment to overcome.
In summary, being gaslighted for an extended period of 9 months can have severe and lasting negative impacts on a person's mental health, self-esteem, and ability to trust their own experiences and the people around them. Seeking support and professional help is crucial for recovering from the effects of this form of emotional abuse.
This is if the gaslighting ever actually stopped and in my case it still hasn't to this day.....
Based on the search results, here are the key steps to heal from gaslighting:
Minimize or stop contact with the gaslighter: If possible, limit or end contact with the person who has been gaslighting you, as continued exposure makes healing much more difficult.
Validate your own feelings and thoughts: Repeatedly affirm to yourself that you know your own reality, even if the gaslighter denies it. Allow yourself to feel emotions without questioning them.
Document the facts: Write down details about the gaslighting incidents, such as the time, place, what was said, who was present, etc. This can help ground you in your own reality.
Be mindful of your own needs: Pay attention to your basic needs like hunger, thirst, sleep, and hygiene, and make sure to honor them. This can help rebuild your sense of self.
Make your own decisions: Practice making small decisions independently to regain a sense of autonomy and trust in your own judgment.
Seek support from trusted people: Spend time with friends, family, or a therapist who can validate your experiences and support your healing process.
Undergo trauma-focused therapy: Professional treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care, can be very helpful in overcoming the psychological impacts of gaslighting.
Be patient and kind with yourself: Recognize that healing from gaslighting takes time and that it's normal to experience self-doubt. Remind yourself that the abuse was not your fault.
The key is to actively work to rebuild your self-trust, self-esteem, and sense of reality that was undermined by the gaslighting. With time, support, and self-care, it is possible to recover and move forward. researched by perplexity.ai
*This also goes without saying but the GASLIGHTING must stop before anyone or even I can heal from such trauma...
Based on the search results, the most invasive forms of gaslighting appear to be:
Coercion: This involves the gaslighter manipulating the victim's reality using threats or force, such as emotional, verbal, physical, or financial abuse, in order to get the victim to do something. Examples include convincing the victim they have a medical problem to control intimacy, or insisting the victim attend religious services against their will.
Outright Lying :The gaslighter tells blatant lies, even in the face of evidence, in order to establish power and control by positioning their version of reality as superior to the victim's. This can include denying events the victim witnessed or lying about financial transactions.
Scapegoating :The gaslighter blames the victim for their own problems or shortcomings, making the victim feel responsible for issues they did not cause. This further undermines the victim's sense of reality and self-worth.
These forms of gaslighting are considered the most invasive because they directly attack the victim's grasp on reality, often through the use of threats, coercion, and outright deception. This can have severe long-term psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, and trauma
Addressing these insidious tactics is crucial for recovery, even while the gaslighting is still ongoing
Comments