What is gaslighting in the context of abuse?

• A. A physical form of violence
• B. A legal term
• C. A supportive counseling approach
• D. A manipulation tactic used by the abuser to make the victim doubt their reality and feelings

Answer: (D)

Gaslighting is a psychological manipulation tactic used in abuse to undermine your sense of reality. The abuser denies or twists what happened, questions your memory or feelings, and tells you you’re overreacting or imagining things. Over time, this makes you doubt yourself, feel dependent on the abuser, and question your own judgments. It’s not about physical violence, a legal term, or a counseling approach—it’s about manipulating you into doubting what you know to be true.