The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Gaslighting happens in families. Here's how to spot and stop it.

By Robin Stern and Marc Brackett

21 Jul 2023 · 5 min read

informed Summary

  1. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where a more powerful individual insists their perspective is the only reality, leading the victim to question their own reality and sometimes sanity.

Many people flourish because of supportive family relationships, and many do not, especially when gaslighting is at play.

Gaslighting is psychological manipulation repeated over time, where one person, the gaslighter - who is more powerful - insists that the way they see things is the reality. The victim, the gaslightee, must accommodate, thereby leading them to second-guess their reality, character and sometimes sanity.

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