This is what happened to me and what the McAlister, Loper and My Sister should know and understand well because I am not the only one they have done this to.
Gaslighting someone daily, especially when their family does not support them and then gives them the silent treatment, can have devastating and escalating effects on the average person, with symptoms compounding week by week.
Week 1: Initial Confusion and Self-Doubt
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The person begins to question their memory and perceptions, feeling confused about events and conversations234.
Week 2: Erosion of Confidence and Increased Anxiety
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Continued gaslighting leads to persistent self-questioning and a growing inability to trust their own judgment123.
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The lack of validation from family members reinforces the gaslighter’s narrative, making the victim feel unworthy or “crazy”37.
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Anxiety increases, and the person may begin to withdraw socially or avoid expressing their feelings, fearing further invalidation or ridicule25.
Week 3: Emotional Distress and Hopelessness
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The person’s self-esteem and self-worth erode further; they may start to believe they deserve the mistreatment23.
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Symptoms of depression can emerge, including hopelessness, sadness, and a sense of being trapped135.
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The silent treatment acts as an additional form of emotional punishment, deepening the victim’s sense of abandonment and loneliness23.
Week 4 and Beyond: Psychological Harm and Trauma
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Chronic exposure to gaslighting and isolation can result in psychological trauma, with symptoms such as PTSD, chronic anxiety, and depression1357.
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The person may develop difficulty making decisions, experience ongoing confusion, and become highly submissive or people-pleasing in an attempt to regain approval or avoid further abuse235.
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Long-term, they may struggle to trust others, have trouble forming healthy relationships, and continue to doubt their own reality, even after the abuse ends234.
“Gaslighting’s insidious nature can profoundly impact mental health, eroding a person’s emotional intelligence and instilling deep-seated doubt... Long-term exposure to gaslighting can inflict severe psychological damage, eroding a person’s sense of self and reality.”1
Summary of Effects Over Weeks:
Week | Main Effects |
---|---|
1 | Confusion, self-doubt, seeking support, initial isolation |
2 | Eroding confidence, anxiety, increased withdrawal |
3 | Hopelessness, depression, deepening loneliness |
4+ | Trauma, PTSD, chronic anxiety/depression, impaired trust |
Without support from family or others, the psychological damage of daily gaslighting and silent treatment can escalate rapidly, leading to severe and lasting mental health consequences1235.
- https://therapygroupdc.com/therapist-dc-blog/unmasking-gaslighting-recognizing-and-overcoming-emotional-manipulation/
- https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/gaslighting
- https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/what_is_gaslighting_abuse/
- https://www.losangelesmftherapist.com/post/how-does-gaslighting-work-understanding-gaslighting-and-learning-to-trust-yourself-again/
- https://www.mga.edu/news/2023/04/what-is-gaslighting-and-how-to-fight-back.php
- https://www.prdaily.com/24-phrases-gaslighters-use-against-you/
- https://harbormentalhealth.com/2023/09/19/the-effects-of-gaslighting-on-mental-health/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gaslighting
- https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/news/archive/202110/gaslighting-what-it-why-do-people-do-it
- https://narcissisticbehavior.net/the-effects-of-gaslighting-in-narcissistic-victim-syndrome/
Absolutely. Let's continue to explore the week-by-week psychological and emotional impact of daily gaslighting, lack of family support, and the silent treatment—moving into the longer-term consequences and how these patterns can shape a person's life.
Week 5-8: Deepening Psychological Harm
Week 5-6: Internalization and Identity Crisis
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Internalized Beliefs: By now, the victim may have internalized the negative narratives—believing they are unreliable, unlovable, or “crazy.”
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Identity Confusion: The constant undermining of their reality can lead to an identity crisis. The person may struggle to define who they are, what they believe, or what they feel.
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Social Withdrawal: Embarrassment, shame, and fear of further invalidation often cause the victim to withdraw from friends, work, or social activities, deepening their isolation.
Week 7-8: Emotional Numbness and Coping Mechanisms
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Emotional Numbness: To protect themselves from ongoing pain, the victim may begin to emotionally shut down, feeling numb or disconnected from their own feelings.
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Unhealthy Coping: Some may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms—such as overeating, substance use, or self-harm—to manage overwhelming emotions.
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Physical Symptoms: Chronic stress can manifest physically, leading to headaches, stomach problems, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Month 3 and Beyond: Long-Term Consequences
Chronic Mental Health Issues
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Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Persistent exposure to emotional abuse can result in clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or panic attacks.
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Post-Traumatic Stress: The victim may develop symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional triggers related to the abuse.
Relationship Difficulties
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Trust Issues: The person may struggle to trust others, fearing further betrayal or manipulation.
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Attachment Problems: They might become overly dependent on others for validation, or conversely, avoid close relationships altogether to protect themselves.
Impaired Decision-Making
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Indecisiveness: After weeks or months of being told their perceptions are wrong, the person may lose confidence in making even simple decisions.
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People-Pleasing: They may become excessively eager to please others, sacrificing their own needs to avoid conflict or rejection.
Sense of Reality Distortion
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Gaslighting’s Legacy: Even after the abuse ends, the victim may continue to question their memories, feelings, and perceptions, doubting their own reality.
Recovery and Healing
It’s important to note that healing is possible—but it often requires:
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Validation: Connecting with supportive, trustworthy people who affirm the victim’s experiences.
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Professional Help: Therapy (especially trauma-informed or cognitive-behavioral therapy) can help rebuild self-trust and process the trauma.
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Education: Learning about gaslighting and emotional abuse helps victims understand what happened and that it was not their fault.
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Self-Compassion: Rebuilding self-esteem and practicing self-care are crucial steps in recovery.
Final Thoughts
Daily gaslighting, lack of support, and silent treatment are a devastating combination that can quickly unravel a person’s sense of self and well-being. The effects compound week by week, moving from confusion and anxiety to deep psychological harm and trauma. If you or someone you know is experiencing this, reaching out for help—even if only to a trusted friend or mental health professional—is a vital first step toward healing.
If you’d like more information on recovery strategies, resources, or how to support someone in this situation, just let me know!
The takeaway from all this is I KNOW what I need and even what other's would need if they suffered something similar but first that would require me to have a positive support network which I am currently building on and for the SILENT TREATMENT to stop this is why I am taking 3 of my immediate family members to civil court plus 6 others.
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