Ever heard the term “gaslighting?" Not sure what it means or how to identify the signs? It can be difficult to see what gaslighting looks like, even if you are familiar with the signs. Gaslighting is an intentional form of manipulation, where individuals will attempt to confuse others by denying their experiences and lying to them. This leads the receiver to feel confused and they will often question their reality and memory.

According to Psychology Today, individuals who gaslight others do so in an attempt to control or maintain power over others. Gaslighting can be unintentional, but the distinction is that a gaslighter enjoys wielding power and control over others. This comes up often in interpersonal relationships and is very problematic because it erodes trust in the individual and with others. Gaslighting can look like “you know I would never do that to you. I could never hurt you,” or “you’re making this up; it’s all in your head.”

To read more about how gaslighting affects the workplace, see Psychology Today’s article titled “7 Signs of Gaslighting at the Workplace.” Even if someone doesn’t directly experience gaslighting in the workforce, it can still sometimes lead to a negative work environment. Recognizing the signs is helpful for everyone. If it seems like someone is dealing with this, don’t be afraid to check in, see how they are doing, and if needed, provide support and resources.