Gaslighting and the Silent Treatment

Gaslighting and the silent treatment are two forms of emotional abuse that, although different in their manifestation, have the same goal: to control the other person and make them doubt their own reality and worth.

Gaslighting is one of the most destructive forms of manipulation, as it involves deliberately distorting reality so that the victim doubts their memory, perceptions, and judgment.

The manipulator denies that an event ever happened, dismisses the victim's feelings with phrases like "you're imagining it" or "you're overreacting," or lies about what was said in a conversation.

Over time, the victim begins to wonder if they are really right, and their self-esteem is severely damaged.

The antidote to gaslighting is to trust your own perception and not justify your feelings.

A firm and calm response may be, "I understand that you don't remember it that way, but I do, and that affects me."

The silent treatment, or Withdrawal is another form of emotional abuse used to punish the other person.

When a person feels upset, instead of speaking up, they withdraw from the conversation, become distant, or stop responding to messages.

This form of emotional punishment doesn't solve anything; it only creates anxiety and insecurity in the victim, who is left wondering what they did wrong.

The silent treatment is a form of control, as the abuser forces the victim to seek their approval.

In both cases, the goal is to control the other person and strip them of their power.

The best way to deal with these situations is to recognize the pattern, not participate in it, and set clear boundaries.

If the other person refuses to communicate or acknowledge reality, it's important not to pursue it and to make it clear that you are willing to talk when the