Signs you have a gaslighter mode

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which the manipulator tries to make the victim doubt their own perceptions and memories. The manipulator does this by denying that certain events occurred, manipulating evidence to support their own version of events or even planting false memories in the victim's mind.

This buzzword that is so often used to describe certain situations usually leaves the victim feeling confused, uncertain, and dependent on the manipulator. This can be extremely damaging to the victim's mental health and can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a lack of trust in their own judgment.

But what happens in the case you are the person behind the gaslighting? Read on:

The term gaslighting comes from the 1938 play ''Gas Light,'' in which a husband tries to make his wife think she is going insane by manipulating small elements of their environment and denying that they ever occurred. Following its popularity, the term is now widely used to describe this type of manipulation.

In the case of being on gaslighter mode, however, it is the reverse. Instead of another person doing it, thus making you the victim, you do it to yourself. Here is how that happens.

You do this even when they are supported by evidence. When you self-gaslight, you may find yourself constantly questioning your own experiences and feelings even when there is clear evidence to support them.

This can be a sign of low self-esteem or self-doubt and can lead to feelings of confusion, uncertainty and even anxiety or depression in extreme cases.

If you find yourself constantly questioning your own abilities even when you have made well-informed and logical decisions in the past, which could be a major red flag.

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This can lead to a lack of confidence and a tendency to defer to others or to avoid making decisions altogether since you don't have the ability to trust your own judgment.

If it goes unchecked or worse still, undetected, you will start making decisions that are not in your best interest.

Feeling that there is something wrong with you is a common symptom of self-gas lighting. What makes it go unnoticed is the fact that it can be difficult to recognize because it can be subtle and insidious. This is especially true if you have been doing it for a long time.

However, it's important to pay attention to your feelings and trust your instincts. If you frequently feel like you are ''going crazy'' or that there is something wrong with you, you have some soul-searching to do.

If you're staying in an unfulfilling relationship because you don't want to demand for more for the fear of losing your partner or other consequences, your gaslighter mode is on.

When it comes to the workplace, you downplay your capabilities and skills so as not to ruffle feathers. The result? You end up in unhappy situations that could otherwise have been avoided if you did not listen to that inner critic.

If you recognize that you are struggling with feelings of inadequacy or a belief that you don't deserve happiness or success, it's important to seek the assistance of a professional therapist. You should also practice more self-care and surround yourself with supportive and uplifting people.