How To Help Someone Who Is Being Gaslighted
When someone close to you is being gaslighted, it can be difficult to know how to help them. Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that can make the victim doubt their own sanity. The abuser will often make subtle, repeated, and calculated changes to the victim's environment in order to make them question their memory, perception, and sanity. If you have a friend or family member who you believe is being gaslighted, there are a few things you can do to help them.
Believe them.
One of the most important things you can do for someone who is being gaslighted is to believe them. Too often, victims of gaslighting feel like they are crazy or that no one will believe them. It is important to validate their experiences and let them know that you believe them.
It is also important to remember that gaslighting is a form of abuse. If you are a victim of gaslighting, it is not your fault. You are not crazy. You deserve to be believed and to be treated with respect. You are not alone.
Offer emotional support.
Being gaslighted can be an incredibly isolating experience. It can make you feel like you are going crazy like you are the only one who sees the world the way it really is. It is important to have someone who can offer you emotional support and validate your experiences. Let them know that you believe them and that you want to help them get through this.
Help them to build a support system.
Being gaslighted can feel incredibly isolating. It can be difficult to know who to trust and where to turn for help. One of the best things you can do for someone who is being gaslighted is to help them to build a support system. Encourage them to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist. Let them know that they are not alone and that there are people who care about them and want to help them.
If you are someone who is being gaslighted, it is important to reach out for help. Talk to your friends and family, or talk to a therapist. Let them help you to build a support system and to regain your sense of self. You are not alone, and there are people who want to help you.
Stand up for them.
The goal of gaslighting is to make the victim doubt their own sanity. The abuser will often make subtle comments to make the victim question their memory, perception, and sanity. For example, the abuser might say "I'm not sure I remember that, are you sure you're remembering it correctly?" or "I don't think that's really what happened, are you sure you're not imagining things?" If the abuser is a family member or close friend, they may even deny that the abuse is happening at all.
When someone is being gaslighted, they often feel powerless and alone. One of the best things you can do for them is to stand up for them. If they are being verbally attacked or dismissed, stand up for them. Let the abuser know that their behavior is not acceptable and that they will not be tolerated.
Help them to regain their power.
One of the goals of gaslighting is to make the victim feel powerless and vulnerable. One of the best things you can do for them is to help them to regain their power. Encourage them to be assertive and to stand up for themselves. Help them to find their voice and let them know that they are not alone.
If you are close to someone who is being gaslighted, it is important to believe them. Do not dismiss their experiences or feelings. Let them know that you support them and that you are there to listen if they need to talk. Be a shoulder to cry on, and offer practical support if needed. Most importantly, let the victim know that they are not alone. There are people who care about them and want to help.
