Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to make a person doubt their perceptions, memories, or sanity. In the context of divorce, gaslighting is often employed by one spouse to gain control, manipulate the narrative, and potentially influence legal proceedings.

Some ways gaslighting may be used in divorce:

Denying Reality: Gaslighters deny events or actions that have occurred during the marriage, making the other spouse question their own memory or perception of the past. For example, they might deny instances of abuse or infidelity.

Shifting Blame: Gaslighters shift blame for problems within the marriage onto the other spouse. By doing so, they create a narrative where the victim becomes the one responsible for the issues, leading to self-doubt and guilt.

Minimizing Concerns: Gaslighting involves downplaying the significance of a spouse’s concerns or feelings. This makes the victim feel as though their emotions are invalid or exaggerated, undermining their confidence in their own judgment.

Creating Confusion: Gaslighters deliberately create confusion by providing conflicting information or changing their story. This leaves the other spouse feeling disoriented and unsure about what is true or real.

Undermining Self-Esteem: Gaslighting involves attacking the self-esteem of the victim. The gaslighter may make derogatory comments about the victim’s abilities, appearance, or worth, aiming to erode their confidence and self-worth.

Isolating the Victim: Gaslighters isolate their spouse from friends and family, making it harder for the victim to seek support or validation outside of the marriage. This isolation further reinforces the gaslighter’s control over the narrative.

Twisting the Truth: Gaslighters manipulate information to suit their narrative, presenting a distorted version of events. This can be particularly damaging in legal proceedings, where accurate information is crucial.

Who they gaslight

Gaslighters employ these tactics on their lawyer, narrating harrowing stories to not only establish them as opposing counsel but to genuinely convince them of falsehoods, painting you as the malevolent abuser. This approach aims to incite the lawyer to fervently advocate for them as the victim.

The act of projecting is often a veiled confession, revealing the truth about their own manipulations. This tactic is designed to preemptively accuse you, portraying themselves as innocent victims of your abuse right from the start.

Narcissists utilize gaslighting techniques on judges, GAL, PRE, and CFI’s, presenting themselves as exemplary parents while fabricating stories about your parenting. False allegations serve as a pressure campaign to manipulate the legal professionals’ perspectives, casting doubt on your claims and turning the legal system against you.

Gaslighting extends to the children, where narcissists sow seeds of doubt by distorting reality. They paint a bleak picture, making the children question your love and commitment, aiming to turn them against you and undermine your credibility as a parent.

Narcissists expand their gaslighting tactics to your broader social circle – family, friends, neighbors, and church community. By spreading lies, they seek to isolate you by eroding the support system around you. This includes manipulating therapists, couples’ counselors, the children’s therapists, and even the school system, aiming to turn them against you and control the narrative.

In a divorce context, gaslighting can have severe consequences for the victim, affecting their emotional well-being and potentially influencing decisions related to child custody, spousal support, and asset division. Recognizing gaslighting behavior is essential for the victim to regain control over their own narrative and seek the support they need, whether through friends, family, or professional counseling. If necessary, legal assistance can also be crucial to ensure a fair resolution in the divorce proceedings.