The term ‘gaslight’ originates from Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 stage play Gaslight. The play narrates the psychological manipulation of a woman by her husband as an attempt to question her own sanity. Jack Manningham, the villain, secretly dimms the gaslight in their home and proceeds to accuse his wife of going ‘mad’ by stating that the light has not changed at all. The play unfolds the mental torture of his wife as a result of Jack’s complete authority and control which leads her down a road of insanity.

 

The expression is now used colloquially to describe a form of emotional abuse in which a person attempts to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual, making them question their own memory, perception and sanity. This form of manipulation is common in relationships, when an individual attempts to control their partner. Tactics used by perpetrators can include lying, contradiction, manipulative put-downs.

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Tell-tale signs that an individual is being gaslighted include: 

• You frequently second guess you ability to remember the details of past events, leaving you psychologically powerless

• You feel threatened and on edge around this person, but you do not know why

• You feel the need to apologise all the time for what you do or who you are 

• Never quite feel ‘good enough’

• You feel neurotic, hypersensitive and an overwhelming sense of alienation

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I want to raise awareness of the issue and challenge the corrosive silence of domestic abuse by producing a 7 minute radio documentary.  My journey of understanding and exploring the rabbit hole of gaslighting will be kept updated on this blog. I will be meeting survivors and telling their first hand accounts, include a discourse of my own experience and interpretations from mental health professionals. 

 

In most cases people are unaware they are experiencing gaslighting due to the perpetrators manipulation. I want to make these individuals realise the danger of the situation and help them get out of it.