Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that can be very subtle and difficult to detect. It can cause you to question your sanity and make you doubt your memories and perceptions. Gaslighting at work can be especially damaging, as it can interfere with your ability to do your job effectively. In this blog post, we will discuss what gaslighting is, the signs that you may be experiencing it, and how to deal with it.
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What Is Gaslighting At Work?
Gaslighting at work is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group. It can be used to undermine confidence, control emotions, and gain power over others.
At its core, gaslighting is a way of gaining and maintaining power and control in a relationship. By making the victim question their sanity and reality, the gaslighter can create an environment where they can act without consequence. In the workplace, this type of behavior can be used to manipulate and control coworkers, subordinates, or superiors.
Signs of Gaslighting At Work
There are many signs of gaslighting at work. If you are experiencing any of the following, it may be indicative that you are a victim of gaslighting:
-You feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells around your boss or coworker
-Your emotions are all over the place and you don’t know why
-You have trouble making decisions or trusting your judgment
-You feel like you can’t do anything right
-Sometimes you feel like you’re going crazy
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to reach out for help. You may need to speak to a therapist or counselor who can help you regain your sense of self and reality.
Reasons For Gaslighting At Work
There are many reasons for gaslighting at work. Here are some of the most common:
Control And Manipulation
Control and manipulation are one thing that gaslighting are often used for. The gaslighter can control the victim’s emotions and behavior by making them question their reality. This can give the gaslighter a feeling of power and dominance in the relationship.
Revenge
Gaslighting can also be used as a form of revenge. If the target has done something to anger the gaslighter, they may use this tactic to get back at them. This can be very damaging to the victim, who may start to doubt themselves and their sanity. Sometimes these are also personal relationships, such as with a spouse or partner.
Self-Defense
In some cases, gaslighting may be used as a form of self-defense. If the victim is being attacked or bullied, they may use gaslighting as a way to turn the tables on the attacker and make them question their behavior and sanity. There may be some times in which this is an appropriate response, but it is important to be aware of the risks involved.
Anger And Resentment
Another reason for gaslighting at work can be anger and resentment. The gaslighter may feel like they are not being heard or respected, and so they resort to this type of behavior as a way to get back at the person or group they feel has wronged them.
Negative Impacts of Gaslighting At Work
Gaslighting at your work may have some very serious negative impacts. It can lead to:
Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the main things that gaslighting can cause. The victim may start to feel constantly anxious and stressed, as they are never sure what is going on or what the gaslighter is going to do next. This can lead to several physical and mental health problems.
Depression
Depression is another common outcome of gaslighting. The victim may start to feel hopeless and helpless like they can’t do anything right. This can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. Many things may have led to the depression, such as the anxiety mentioned above.
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a very real outcome of gaslighting. If the victim has been through a traumatic experience, such as abuse or assault, gaslighting can trigger those memories and symptoms. This can be very damaging and disruptive to their daily life.
Isolation
The victim of gaslighting may start to isolate themselves from friends and family, as they no longer feel like they can trust anyone. They may also feel like they are going crazy, so they don’t want to tell anyone what is happening. This can lead to further problems down the line.
How To Deal With Gaslighting At Work?
If you are experiencing gaslighting at work, there are some things that you can do to try and deal with it.
Talk To Someone You Trust
You should always try to talk to someone you trust about what is happening. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor. Talking about it can help to validate your feelings and may make you feel less alone. There are also many things that you can do to help protect yourself from gaslighting.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is a very important way to deal with gaslighting. You should make it clear what you will and won’t tolerate, and stick to those boundaries. This can be difficult, but it is important to do if you want to keep your sanity. These boundaries also need to be respected by the gaslighter.
Get Professional Help
If the gaslighting is severe or you feel like it is starting to take a toll on your mental health, you should seek professional help. This can be in the form of therapy or counseling and can help you deal with the situation and start to move on. There are a number of types of professional help that you can get.
Stay Grounded
It can be very easy to get lost in the chaos of gaslighting. But it is important to try and stay grounded as much as possible. This means staying connected to reality and not letting the gaslighter control your thoughts or emotions. There are also things like meditation and mindfulness that can help with this.
Make Plan
If you feel like the gaslighting is getting worse or is starting to have a serious impact on your life, you should make a plan. This plan should include things like setting boundaries, getting professional help and staying grounded. Having a plan can give you a sense of control and may help you feel more prepared for what is happening.
Give Yourself Time
The effects of gaslighting can take a long time to heal. You may not be able to fix the situation overnight, and that is ok. Give yourself time and space to heal and deal with what is happening. There is no set timeline for this, so just go at your own pace. There are also many things that you can do to help yourself along the way.
Conclusion
Gaslighting is a very difficult emotion that can have a number of serious outcomes. If you are experiencing it, there are steps that you can take to try and deal with it. It is important to be proactive and seek help if the gaslighting is severe or starting to have a negative impact on your life. Remember, you are not alone. There are also many resources available to you. You can also contact us for more information relaed to all these topics.
A Word From Therapy Mantra
Your mental health — Your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.
At TherapyMantra, we have a team of therapists who provide affordable online therapy to assist you with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, workplace Issues, addiction, relationship, OCD, LGBTQ, and PTSD. You can book a free therapy or download our free Android or iOS app.
