gaslighters
Psychological abuse perpetrators
Gaslighters are people who manipulate others into questioning their own perception, memory, or sanity.
The term comes from a 1944 film in which a husband dims the gas lights while denying any change, making his wife doubt her own observations.
Someone who gaslights typically denies events that occurred, dismisses feelings as overreactions, or insists their victim misremembers things.
Her therapist helped her recognize that her ex had been one of the worst gaslighters she'd ever encountered.
Underhanded control of others
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- distortionTwisting from original state
- lyingStating known falsehoods
blame-shifting · projection · deflection · invalidation · twisting · discrediting · undermining · fabrication
Excessive admiration of oneself
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controllingExerting authority over others
- abusiveCausing harm or insult
deceitful · calculating · charming · duplicitous · coercive · exploitative · pathological · remorseless
Mental disorientation or bewilderment
- doubtLack of firm belief
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
disorientation · helplessness · isolation · trauma · paranoia · self-blame · shame · guilt
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- distortionTwisting from original state
lying · blame-shifting · projection · deflection · invalidation · twisting · discrediting · undermining · fabrication · contradiction
narcissism
Excessive admiration of oneself
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- controllingExerting authority over others
abusive · deceitful · calculating · charming · duplicitous · coercive · exploitative · pathological · remorseless · self-serving
confusion
Mental disorientation or bewilderment
insecurity · disorientation · helplessness · isolation · trauma · paranoia · self-blame · shame · guilt · despair
- manipulatorsmanipulators, brainwashers, controllers, puppeteers, handlers
- truth avoidersdeniers, avoiders, deflectors, obfuscators, suppressors
- negativistspessimists, defeatists, doomers, doomsayers, negative Nellies
gaslighterstruth-tellers
Those who state facts
validators · straight shooters · authenticators · witnesses · corroborators
gaslightersempowerers
Those who grant capability
supporters · encouragers · uplifters · advocates · champions
gaslighterswhistleblowers
Those exposing organizational misconduct
truth-seekers · clarifiers · witnesses · verifiers · fact-checkers