Have you experienced gaslighting or emotional abuse?
I recently got out of an emotionally abusive relationship with a man that would gaslight me and who showed traits of being a narcissist or a sociopath. It was my first relationship and also my first break up. This lasted for about one year, and it was complete torture.
I am trying to find ways to heal from being manipulated by him. I have experienced anxiety of thinking this has happened to me before without knowing and that I will meet another man like this in the future 
If you have experienced anything like this please respond. Share your story, tips, advice, anything.
I just learned what gaslighting is and or the first time in months, I feel like I have my life back, I have power, I matter and I am not crazy.
@rosebuds13
HI Rose I think it to courage to share this here. So thank you for having courage and sharing.
I am glad to hear you are now out of the horrible relationship. Also wow so sorry this person done this to you hugsHe had no right to "gaslight" you or in anyway abuse you. You shared this was your first relationship.....
I suggest you heal, take time for you, boost yourself up by telling yourself truths about you. Yes you are NOT crazy and you are worth a lot more then what he gave you. Try and not use this experience for your next relationship if you choose to be in one. Mostly show love to yourself. I wish you the best in healing and knowing you are a great person
@RumpleSteeleSkin
Thank you! Yes I need some time to myself where I am kind and can heal to become stronger
I just left a toxic relationship that had a lot of gaslighting.
I would like to be able to recognize it earlier and to learn how to assert boundaries with people who don't respect them.
@blueTown8541
I am sorry you went through this, but I am glad you had the strength to leave. Yes please look online and read articles. There is some really helpful information out there. It will also give you that validation that you are not crazy, you matter, and that you were tricked to believe otherwise.
This is a link to an article I found the other day. It is about the stages and traits of a gaslighter
https://medium.com/@sheaemmafett/10-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-gaslighting-22234cb5e407
@rosebuds13 Thanks!
@rosebuds13 Yes. I have someone in my life who will gaslight and pretend that she didn't hear me say something or I didn't tell her whatever or that I was already supposed to know X or Y or Z. I'm sorry you're going through that.
@ReadBooksDrinkTea
Exactly! To other people this just looks like someone being rude or annoying. But its way deeper. They invalidate your truth and make you question your reality. No matter what you do, they never own up to their actions. They project them on you make it seem like you are crazy
@rosebuds13 Big hug to you and everyone here who has been with an emotionally manipulative person. It's not easy to leave, it's not easy to "walk away and move on". I was with an emotional abuser for almost 2 years and I'm still not over it. I am still trying to pick the pieces and figure out what went wrong. After all that emotional abuse and gaslighting, suicide threats and abusing, he has moved on very easily and is looking for someone new (he's on a matrimonial website looking for somebody to get married to) after pushing the blame of the failed relationship on me. It's never easy, I went back to him multiple times against the advice of family and friends, and I am still recovering for the after effects. I have been single and am unable to move on or trust anybody.
So proud of you to have taken the step of cutting off. You will only see how life gets better now, just like I hope my life will be. Love and hugs to you.
