Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where a person makes someone question their reality, leading them to doubt their perceptions, memories, and sanity. When a narcissist engages in gaslighting, it can be particularly damaging because they often use it to maintain control and power over their victims.

Here are 10 telltale signs of gaslighting that you should never ignore.

1. They deny things they’ve said or done

A common tactic that narcissists use during gaslighting is to deny that they’ve clearly said or done something they’ve said or done. They may try to make you feel like you’re imagining things or remembering false events to make you doubt yourself.

Additionally, they may claim that you’re overly sensitive or overreacting when you mention their behavior, making you question whether your feelings are valid.

Gaslighters often twist the truth to fit their narrative, making it difficult for you to trust your memory or perception of reality.

2. They Blame You

Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, narcissists often shift the blame onto their victims when gaslighting. They may accuse you of being overly sensitive, irrational, or dramatic in an attempt to make you doubt yourself.

Gaslighters will use manipulative tactics to make you believe you’re to blame for any problems in the relationship, even when they’re the ones causing the harm. This can lead to feelings of guilt and self-blame on your part.

By shifting blame onto you, a narcissist can avoid accountability and maintain control over the situation.

3. They invalidate your feelings

One of the most insidious signs of psychological manipulation by a narcissist is invalidating your feelings. They may dismiss your feelings, making you feel unjustified or unimportant.

Narcissists may ridicule your feelings or tell you that you’re overreacting to a situation to make you question the validity of your feelings. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness as you struggle to acknowledge your feelings.

Related : Why Narcissists Cause Loneliness and Unhappiness

Narcissists will minimize your feelings to maintain control over you and prevent you from speaking up or setting boundaries.

4. They distort the truth

People who practice psychological manipulation are skilled at twisting the truth to fit their agenda and manipulate their victims. They may distort facts, change timelines, or present false information to make you question your memories and perceptions.

This can be especially upsetting when you’re trying to make sense of conflicting information and reality. People who engage in psychological manipulation will use this tactic to confuse you and throw you off balance, making it easier for them to control the narrative.

By twisting the truth, narcissists can create a sense of confusion and doubt in their victims, making it difficult for them to trust their own judgment.

5. They Engage in Withholding Behavior

Another sign of manipulation by narcissists is engaging in withholding behavior. They may withhold information, affection, or validation as a way to control you and gain power in the relationship.

Narcissists will use this tactic to make you feel insecure and dependent on them for approval or reassurance. By withholding communication or affection, they can keep you guessing and searching for validation.

This manipulative behavior can lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt as you struggle to understand why the narcissist is withholding their attention or affection.

6. They Project Their Behavior onto You

Narcissists often project their behavior onto their victims during manipulation. They may accuse you of lying, cheating, or manipulating when in fact they are the one engaging in these behaviors.

This projection is a way for the narcissist to divert attention away from their actions and make you feel like you are the one with the problem. Bullies will use this tactic to confuse you and make you doubt your integrity.

By projecting their behavior onto you, the narcissist can avoid taking responsibility for their actions and maintain power in the relationship.

7. They use scapegoating tactics

Bullyers often use scapegoating tactics to shift blame onto their victims and avoid accountability. They may target you as the cause of all the problems in the relationship, and portray themselves as the innocent party.

This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame as you internalize blame for issues that aren’t your fault. Psychological manipulation practitioners use scapegoating to keep you in a state of confusion and self-doubt.

By making you a scapegoat, the narcissist can continue to manipulate and control you without facing any consequences for their actions.

8. They Use Diversionary Tactics

Diversionary tactics are another common sign of psychological manipulation by narcissists. They may change the subject, deflect questions, or redirect the conversation in an attempt to avoid discussing their behavior or taking responsibility for their actions.

Related : 16 Lines Straight out of the Narcissist Playbook

This manipulation tactic is used to keep you off-balance and prevent you from confronting the narcissist about their manipulative behavior. By diverting the conversation, they can maintain control and power over you.

Manipulators will use diversionary tactics to keep you confused and prevent you from addressing the real issues in the relationship.

9. They engage in love bombing followed by devaluation

A classic tactic that narcissists use during manipulation is love bombing followed by devaluation. They may shower you with affection, attention, and gifts to gain your trust and admiration.

However, once they have you hooked, they may suddenly withdraw the affection, criticize you, or diminish your accomplishments. This roller coaster of emotions can leave you feeling confused and insecure about the narcissist’s intentions.

Manipulators use love bombing and devaluation to manipulate your emotions and keep you dependent on their approval and validation.

10. They exploit multiple people in their lives

If you notice that narcissists engage in manipulative behavior with multiple people in their lives, it’s a clear sign that their manipulative tactics are not isolated incidents. Manipulative people often use the same tactics in different relationships to maintain power and control over their victims.

This pattern of behavior can help you see that emotional manipulation is intentional and part of a larger pattern of manipulation by the narcissist. By recognizing this behavior in multiple relationships, you can better protect yourself from their harmful tactics.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional manipulation by a narcissist, it is essential to seek help and support from a therapist or counselor who can help you deal with the situation and develop coping strategies.

Conclusion

Recognizing the signs of emotional manipulation by a narcissist is crucial in protecting yourself from manipulation and emotional abuse. By being aware of these tactics and learning how to set boundaries with a narcissist, you can regain control of your reality and maintain your mental and emotional well-being. Remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and compassion in all of your relationships, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you find yourself in a manipulative situation.