gaslit
Made to doubt
Gaslit describes someone who has been manipulated into doubting their own perceptions, memories, or sanity.
The term comes from a 1944 film in which a husband dims the gas lights while denying any change, making his wife question her reality.
To be gaslit is to have experienced this psychological manipulation: I thought I was going crazy, but I was being gaslit.
The verb gaslight and noun gaslighting are now common in discussions of abusive relationships and political rhetoric.
Controlled through cunning
- deceivedMisled into false belief
- misledCaused to believe falsely
- controlledKept within limits
- brainwashedMentally manipulated into compliance
coerced · exploited · twisted · distorted · conditioned · invalidated · dominated · undermined
Uncertainty about oneself
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
denial · questioning · disorientation · helplessness · shame · guilt · worthlessness · hypervigilance
Self-obsessed person
- abuserOne who mistreats others
- victimOne harmed by another
- survivorOne still alive after
- toxicCapable of causing harm
coercive control · emotional abuse · domestic violence · power imbalance · enabler · flying monkeys · scapegoat · triangulation
- psychological thrillerSuspense via mental states
- cultural referenceShared societal knowledge marker
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- buzzwordTrendy jargon, often hollow
internet culture · viral · trending · true crime · toxic relationship · social media · validation
manipulated
Controlled through cunning
- deceivedMisled into false belief
- misledCaused to believe falsely
- controlledKept within limits
brainwashed · coerced · exploited · twisted · distorted · conditioned · invalidated · dominated · undermined · confused
self-doubt
Uncertainty about oneself
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
disbelief · denial · questioning · disorientation · helplessness · shame · guilt · worthlessness · hypervigilance · distrust
narcissist
Self-obsessed person
toxic · coercive control · emotional abuse · domestic violence · power imbalance · enabler · flying monkeys · scapegoat · triangulation · love-bombing
Ingrid Bergman
- psychological thrillerSuspense via mental states
- cultural referenceShared societal knowledge marker
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
buzzword · internet culture · viral · trending · true crime · toxic relationship · social media · validation
gaslitvalidated
Confirmed as true or acceptable
believed · supported · vindicated · taken seriously · reassured
gaslitenlightened
Possessing profound insight
clear-headed · certain · grounded · lucid · oriented
gaslitempowered
Given power to act
grounded · stabilized · centered · enlightened · liberated
gaslight, gaslighting, gaslights, gaslighted, gaslighter, gaslighters