SELF-ARCHEOLOGY

People who have strong narcissistic tendencies and other toxic people are known for their manipulation tactics. Some of them are consciously cunning and deceiving. While others are more primitive and blunt in their disturbing behaviors. Whatever the case may be, such people tend to project heavily, not take responsibility for their actions, blame others, and use gaslighting. Here are some of the things abusers and toxic people say to their victims, and what it means: It’s for your own good. Meaning, you should be grateful, not upset. You’re too sensitive. Meaning, your reaction to my toxicity is unreasonable. It’s your fault. Meaning, I did nothing wrong here; it’s you. You deserve it. Meaning, you are deserving of being mistreated. Don’t be so dramatic. Meaning, you’re overreacting and instigating conflict. You are so cold, cruel, and lack forgiveness. Meaning, you shouldn’t hold me responsible for my hurtful and manipulative behavior. You made me do it. Meaning, you are respon...

Many of us have probably heard of gaslighting. In this article, we will explore what is behind this concept and why it is so destructive, disturbing, and toxic.  Origins and Definition Gaslighting is a term used in psychology and common speech that refers to manipulation whose purpose is to create doubt in a person or a group of people. It includes but is not limited to denial, lying, deflection, and contradiction to make the target question their perception of reality.   The term gaslighting originates from a 1938 stage play and its later film adaptations (1940 and 1944). It has been used colloquially since the 1960s. In the story, the husband tries to convince his wife and other people that she is insane. He is doing so by manipulating certain elements of their environment and by continuously insisting that she doesn’t remember things correctly and that she’s delusional when she notices the changes he made.  The title comes from the husband dimming the gas lights...