I’m a psychologist, here are five forms of gaslighting from withholding to trivialising

More and more people are becoming aware of the term ‘gaslighting’ and how it can be used in interpersonal relationships.

But the term is often misused, according to forensic psychologist and YouTuber Dr Sohom Das, who has previously defined the term, saying: ‘[It] is a form of emotional abuse that results from manipulating someone into questioning their own sanity, their own memories, or their perception of reality.

‘It is a deliberate attempt to undermine a person’s confidence in themselves and their experiences. So you can see it as a secret form of control and dominance

Now Birmingham-based expert Dr. Lalitaa Suglani revealed five forms of gaslighting on Instagram after.

The clinical psychologist, who has around 162,000 followers on the platform, is also the author of High-Functioning Anxiety A 5-step Guide To Calming The Inner Panic and Thriving.

In her Instagram post, Dr. Suglani listed five forms of gaslighting, with a brief description for each.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), gaslighting is “manipulating another person into doubting that person’s perceptions, experiences, or understanding of events.”

The APA says, “The term once referred to manipulation so extreme that it induced mental illness or warranted the gaslit person’s commitment to a mental institution, but is now used more generally.

‘It is usually considered colloquial, although it is occasionally found in the clinical literature, referring, for example, to the manipulative tactics associated with antisocial personality disorder.’

1. Withholding

According to the psychologist, this is the case when the gaslighter “refuses to listen or avoids understanding.”

2. Counteract

This is explained by Dr. Suglani described as ‘they question your memory and recollection of events’.

3. Block and redirect

This, the psychologist said, is when they try to change the subject and steer the conversation toward questioning you instead.

4. Downplaying

Dr. Suglani said: ‘[This is] when they minimize your feelings and emotions. They make you feel meaningless and unimportant.”

Gaslighting can cause great emotional damage in relationships – and can occur within dynamics outside of romantic partnerships

5. Forgetting and denial

‘[This is] when they pretend not to remember a situation or conversation,” the psychologist wrote.

The topic of gaslighting is one that a number of mental health professionals have spoken out about, in an effort to educate the public about what the term refers to.

In a video on his YouTube channel A psych for painful mindsLondon-based forensic psychologist Dr Sohom Das debunked five myths surrounding gaslighting.

One of these five myths was that gaslighting only occurs in romantic relationships (for example, it can also happen within other dynamics, including parent-child and between coworkers).

Other myths included that it is a good idea to confront your gaslighter directly, that gaslighting is always intentional; that only people of low intelligence can be gaslighted (anyone can be susceptible) and that gaslighting is a modern phenomenon.