gaslighting
Recognizing Gaslighting: 5 Common Phrases
Of all the tactics in the narcissistic abuse playbook, gaslighting has to be one of the most effective. It can be used against unwitting victims in a wide range of relationships, settings, and specific situations. It is hard to call out, because the very nature of the beast is to confuse and disorient victims. The…
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Mismatched memories: Speak your Truth
Mismatched memories Have you ever listened to two people tell the story of a shared experience? It’s amazing what differences can show up when two different sets of memories are at play. One person sees a red car run into a blue one at the intersection, while the person next to them swears it…
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Courage of the Survivors: An Open Letter
I had a topic all ready to go for this week. Had my general theme, key points, and a great nerdy example to draw from. (I really did!) And then….this week happened. I don’t know how many of you watched Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony alleging sexual assault by Supreme Court nominee…
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There’s a Name for That: A Glossary of Toxic Relationship Terms
Toxic relationships can be hard to define Being in a toxic relationship but unable to pinpoint what is unhealthy about it can be crazy-making. When you know something is wrong but you can’t put your finger on it, you may second-guess yourself. Second-guessing can keep you in unhealthy relationships longer, leading to more pain…
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(Un)Tangled: 5 Traits of Adult Children of Narcissists
In a recent blog post, we explored how Disney’s Tangled portrays a narcissistic parent, Mother Gothel. In this post, we will take a closer look at this relationship from another angle: 5 common traits of adult children of narcissists – AKA, Rapunzel. For some of you this will probably feel very familiar, and maybe not in a pleasant…
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Mother Knows Best? Narcissism in Disney’s “Tangled”
Mother Knows Best? 5 Traits of Narcissistic Parents Q: What does a narcissistic parent look like? A: Mother Gothel in Disney’s Tangled. In this re-telling of the classic Rapunzel story, Mother Gothel is a narcissistic, emotionally abusive sorceress who abducts the infant Rapunzel from her crib. Mother Gothel raises Rapunzel as her own, isolating her…
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I’m the Worst: Impostor Syndrome and Internalized Gaslighting
A few weeks ago, I wrote a two-part miniseries about gaslighting. Today, I am going to follow up with a word about internalized gaslighting and its BFF: Impostor Syndrome. Impostor syndrome is a common problem for high achievers who have a hard time accepting themselves as high achievers. Despite evidence to the contrary, they tend…
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