8 Warning Signs That Your Friend Is Gaslighting You

Written by:  Aquib Nawab

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Friendship

1. Constantly Denies Reality

They repeatedly deny things that happened, twisting the truth to make you question your own memories. Over time, you start doubting your ability to recall events accurately, leaving you confused.

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2. Twists Conversations

They twist your words during conversations, changing the narrative to make you feel like you’re always in the wrong. This leaves you questioning how well you communicate, eroding your confidence overall.

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3. Blames You for Everything

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They take zero responsibility for their actions and always shift the blame onto you. Whether it’s a misunderstanding or a serious issue, they make you feel like the one at fault, deepening your guilt.

4. Downplays Your Successes

They downplay your accomplishments, often with backhanded compliments or sarcastic remarks. They make you feel like you're never truly successful, even when you’ve achieved something significant in your life.

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5. Plays the Victim Constantly

They always manage to make themselves the victim, even when they’ve hurt you. No matter how valid your feelings are, they flip the situation so you end up apologizing, while they gain sympathy.

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6. Dismisses Your Emotions

They frequently belittle your feelings, telling you that you're "too sensitive" or "overreacting." This gradually makes you question your emotional responses, and you start suppressing your real feelings.

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7. Uses Your Fears Against You

They exploit your insecurities, using your deepest fears to manipulate you. They bring up vulnerabilities during arguments or difficult moments to make you feel small, controlled, and dependent on them.

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8. Isolates You from Others

They discourage you from maintaining relationships with other friends or loved ones. Whether subtle or overt, this tactic makes you rely on them more, isolating you from vital sources of support and reality.

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Thanks for Reading

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