Let's get one thing straight from the start.

Gaslighting is not just a buzzword.

It's a serious form of emotional abuse that can leave even the strongest minds questioning

their reality.

Unfortunately, the term has been misused frequently in pop culture and social media,

often being applied to simple disagreements or minor dishonesty. This misuse can undermine

the real harm that gaslighting causes. As a psychologist who believes in tough love and compassionate truth-telling,

I'm here to clarify what gaslighting truly is from a mental health perspective. No sugar-coding,

no fluff. Welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show, I'll help

you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

So let's talk about what exactly is gaslighting. A well-known historical example of gaslighting is from the

1944 film Gaslight, where a husband manipulates his wife into doubting her

perceptions. In more recent pop culture, the TV series The Handmaid's Tale shows

examples of gaslighting by the ruling regime, making individuals

question their memories and perceptions. Such examples help highlight how gaslighting operates

in various settings. Gaslighting is a psychological manipulation tactic where a person or group makes someone question their own memories, perceptions, or sanity.

It's insidious, often subtle, and profoundly damaging.

The term comes from the 1944 film Gaslight, where a husband manipulates his wife

into believing that she's losing her mind. You might think, surely I'd know if someone was

gaslighting me. Think again. Gaslighting thrives in the shadows of our self-doubt and trust in others.

Here are some key components of gaslighting.

Each component of gaslighting serves a unique purpose in manipulation.

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