#gaslighting people

[awesome-luciano-blog]

Escaping the Prison of the Mind: The Impact of Gaslighting in the Workplace on Mental Health

In the intricate web of professional dynamics, there exists an often-overlooked psychological struggle that many employees endure: the prison of the mind. This metaphorical prison can be particularly confining for those working in environments where gaslighting—a form of psychological manipulation—is rampant. The effects of such an environment on an individual's mental health can be profound and long-lasting.

Understanding the Prison of the Mind

The "prison of the mind" refers to a state where an individual's thoughts, emotions, and perceptions are heavily influenced, restricted, or distorted, leading to self-doubt, confusion, and a diminished sense of self-worth. This mental confinement is often exacerbated by external factors, such as toxic work environments and manipulative behaviors from colleagues or superiors.

The Mechanics of Gaslighting

Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic where a person or group makes someone question their reality, memory, or perceptions. In the workplace, gaslighting can take various forms:

Denial of Events: When managers or colleagues deny events or conversations, making the victim doubt their memory.

Misleading Information: Providing false or misleading information to confuse and control the victim.

Undermining Confidence: Constantly questioning the victim’s decisions, knowledge, or competence to erode their self-esteem.

The Psychological Toll of Gaslighting

The effects of gaslighting in the workplace are not just limited to immediate discomfort or confusion. Over time, these manipulative tactics can lead to severe mental health issues, including:

Anxiety and Depression: Constant self-doubt and the feeling of being under siege can lead to chronic anxiety and depression. The victim might feel trapped and powerless, contributing to a deteriorating mental state.

Cognitive Dissonance: The victim struggles to reconcile their perception of reality with the distorted version presented by the gaslighter, leading to confusion and cognitive dissonance.

Decreased Self-Worth: Persistent undermining and questioning can significantly erode a person’s self-esteem and self-worth, making them feel inadequate and incapable.

Breaking Free: Strategies for Escaping the Mental Prison

Recognize the Signs: The first step to breaking free from the mental prison is recognizing the signs of gaslighting. Awareness of the manipulative tactics used against you can empower you to reclaim your sense of reality.

Seek Validation: Talk to trusted colleagues, friends, or family members about your experiences. Their perspectives can provide the validation and reassurance needed to counter the gaslighter’s distortions.

Document Interactions: Keep a record of conversations, emails, and other interactions with the gaslighter. Documentation can serve as a tangible reminder of reality and a defense against manipulation.

Set Boundaries: Establish and maintain clear boundaries with the gaslighter. Assertiveness and clarity in communication can reduce the gaslighter's ability to manipulate and control you.

Professional Support: Consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Therapy can provide a safe space to explore your experiences, rebuild your self-esteem, and develop coping strategies.

Explore Employment Options: If the workplace environment is irredeemably toxic, it might be time to consider seeking employment elsewhere. Your mental health and well-being should always be a priority.

Creating a Healthy Work Environment

While individual strategies are essential, organizational change is crucial to prevent gaslighting and support mental health:

Promote Transparency: Encourage open communication and transparency within the organization. Clear policies and procedures can minimize opportunities for manipulative behavior.

Supportive Leadership: Leaders should be trained to recognize and address gaslighting and other toxic behaviors. A supportive leadership style fosters a healthy, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Provide access to counseling and mental health resources through EAPs. These programs can offer support to employees dealing with workplace stress and manipulation.

Conclusion

The prison of the mind is a harrowing experience, particularly for those subjected to gaslighting in the workplace. The psychological toll of such manipulation can be severe, leading to anxiety, depression, and a loss of self-worth. Recognizing the signs of gaslighting, seeking support, and taking proactive steps to protect one's mental health are crucial for breaking free from this prison. Moreover, fostering a healthy, transparent, and supportive work environment is essential to prevent such toxic dynamics and promote overall well-being. Prioritizing mental health in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a foundation for a productive, innovative, and resilient organization.

[feelingtheaster99]

It is completely in character for Percy to say he has some dumb questions, then ask incredibly valid questions that no one has brought up till now

[kittyprincessofcats]

ICJ Ruling

Okay, let's get into this.

First of all, I get the frustration at the court not ordering a ceasefire. I was disappointed and frustrated at first too, since a ceasefire was the biggest and most important preliminary measure South Africa was requesting - and of course we just all want this horror to finally end for the people in Gaza. So I get the frustration and disappointment, I really do.

However, I do think this ruling is still a major win for South Africa, Palestine, and international law as a whole and here's why:

The court acknowledged that it has jurisdiction over this case and completely dismissed Israel's request to throw out the case as a whole. It will now determine at the merits stage (that will probably take years) whether Israel is actually commiting genocide.

The court acknowledged that Palestinians are a "distinct national or ethnic group and therefore deserving of protection under the genocide convention". Pull this out next time someone tells you "there's no such thing as Palestinians, they're all just Arabs".

The court acknowledged very unambiguously that "at least some" of Israel's actions being genocidal in nature is "plausible". South Africa has a case, officially. Israel is accused of genocide, in a way the ICJ deems "plausible", officially. This is huge. (And seriously, how freaking satisfying was it to hear all of those genocidal statements by Israeli politicians read out loud and used as justification for this rulling?)

The court might not have ordered a "ceasefire" in those words, but they did order Israel to "immediately end all genocidal acts" (which includes killing and injuring Palestinians) and submit proof that they actually did. How are they going to comply with this ruling without at least severly reducing or changing what they're doing in Gaza?

In fact, this wording might actually be more appropriate for a genocide (vs a war), as author and journalist Ali Abunimah notes on Twitter:

He's completely right. Israel lost today, by overwhelming majority (I mean, 15 to 2? I heard people predict the rulings would be very close, like 9 judges vs 8, but instead we got 15 to 2 (and even 16 to 1 on the humanitarian aid). Holy shit.) The court disimissed almost everything Israel's side of lawyers said, while acknowledging that South Africa's accusations are "plausible".

And this is important especially because of Mr Abunimah's second tweet there^. Because the question is, where do we go from here?

This ruling means that Israel is officially /possibly/ commiting genocide and that should have huge international consequences. The rest of the world now HAS to take these accusations seriously and stop arming and supporting Israel - and if they won't do it on their own, we, the people, have to make them. This is THE moment to rise up all around the world, especially in the countries most supportive of Israel (the US, the UK, Germany): Protest, call your representatives and demand a ceasefire and an end of arms deliveries to Israel.

We now have a legal case to back our demands: If Israel is, according to the ICJ, "plausibly" commiting genocide, then all of our governments are, according to the ICJ, "plausibly" guiltly of aiding in genocide. And we need to hold that over their heads and demand better. We need to do that right now and in huge numbers. Most politicians only care about themselves and saving their skin. We have to make them realize that they could be accused of aiding in genocide.

(As a German, I'm thinking of Germany here in particular: After South Africa's hearing, our government dismissed their case as having "no basis" - how are they going to keep saying that now that the ICJ officially thinks otherwise? Over the last months, people here have been arrested at protests for calling what's happening in Gaza a genocide. How are the police supposed to legally keep doing that now that the ICJ has officially deemed this accusation "plausible"? I used to be scared to use the word "genocide" at protests or write it on my protest signs - not anymore, have fun trying to arrest me for that when the ICJ literally has my back on this one 🖕🏻.)

So yeah - don't be defeatist about this, don't let Israel's narrative that they "won" (they didn't) take over. This might not be everything we wanted, but it's still a good result. Don't let what the court didn't say ("ceasefire"), distract you from the very important things that they did say. Let this be your motivation to get loud and active, especially if you live in any country that supports Israel. Put pressure on your governments to not be complicit in genocide, you now officially have the highest international court on your side.

[wackarat]

I have been seeing posts about how a certain frame in the TF2 comics should make heavy and medic hug so-

[mistybunny]

"if hell is a teenage girl then heaven is a woman"

[shepscapades]

im sure you've answered this somewhere before but why does X wear his helmet? ik you've said he's not a hybrid which i assume just means he's human, so is it just that he doesnt like showing his face? or is it plot or backstory related? -starr

Who’s to say!! Seems to be a mystery to the other hermits…

(shoutout to @kiwinatorwaffles‘s baldsuma comic, i couldn’t not make a cheeky reference to it hehe :] )

[gascreates]

when aang doesn't explain everything

[eroticlamb]

courtney love performing at reading festival , 1994 ₊ ˚ ⊹ ♡

[ot3]

'girlboss is out girlfailure is in' please please please can we discuss female characters in media outside of soundbites im begging you can we form complex opinions about the role of women in narratives

[ash-says]

Survival 101 :

Buckle up your seatbelt darling because this is going to be triggering and one hell of a ride. Don't expect mushy from me. Might do it when tapped in my soft girl era but today I feel like a Villain.

1) Keep your mouth shut where you don't hold the power. No power no expressed opinions that can put you in trouble.

2) Learn manipulation and seduction skills. This will help you to detect when someone is trying to manipulate and seduce you. Saves a lot of drama and heartache.

3) Fight back strategically. We don't want to lose a job, a degree certificate, a bruise on your body,etc depending on your situation.

4) Facts over emotions. Always.

5) 90% of older men are creepy. Speaking from experience here. Play with them by ear. Get what you want by being polite and respectful but if they try to harass you or take advantage we turn Medusa on them or if you are not in a position to fight and walk out safe just play cutesy and shy and dumb. Ask him what he means and do not take a word said by him seriously. Dodge his advances like your life depends on it until you get an opening to run for the hills.

6) Snap out of delusions and pay attention to reality. People are not what you make them out to be they are what they show you. Stop making excuses for them.

7) Anxiety can be crippling. Panic attacks are the worst but no matter what happens try your level best to never show them publicly. Men are vultures and vulnerable women are easy prey for men.

8) That one friend who is all sweet to you and is your bff but anything positive happens in your life and suddenly starts becoming passive aggressive. Not your friend. Don't share any secrets. Best to be kept as an acquaintance.

9) Develop sarcasm and don't be afraid to put self entitled bitches and bastards in their place. Better being called a 'Mean Girl' over a 'Doormat'.

10) Bully back the bullies. It's 2024 sweetie we don't wait for an opportunity for revenge we fucking create it.

11) No matter how tough your life is going everyone shouldn't be getting a broadcast about it. At least not by your own mouth. Try to act as put together as you can.

12) Kindness is virtue but being apathetic saves you. Don't be the fool who bleeds through the stabs of the same knives again and again. "Because I can't see them in pain. I have a heart." Babygirl you have a life too. All that emotional stress is going to result in some serious problems in the upcoming years.

13) Learn when to quit. The most emotionally intelligent people I know are great quitters. They know when it's the end of an era.

14) Never disclose your family issues to outsiders. Until and unless a person has proved their loyalty to you year after year only those selected one or two people should know your domestic issues. Anyone else knowing it is like having a good gossip for tea time.

15) Lastly, there are no fucking saviours in real life. You are your own saviour.

[thisgingerhasnosoul]

Do you guys ever see a post that’s so abusive and hateful towards Jews (under the guise of anti-Zionism, of course), that you want to respond and call them out on their gaslighting bullshit, but you know you can’t because if you do they’ll end up harassing and brigading you for the crime of being a (((Zionist)))/Jew they don’t like?

[goryhorroor]

“there are several reasons why the horror genre declined – in both quality and popularity – at the tail end of the 1930s & into the 40s. firstly, the narrative conventions became so well established that they appeared formulaic and predictable, especially when the same-old same-old monsters were put into rotation time and time again. then, political strife curtailed a lot of european filmmaking. thirdly, movies with supernatural, violent, science fiction or fantasy elements became a target for literal-minded censors, who were concerned that the masses might believe or, still worse, imitate the horrors they witnessed on the silver screen.”

[allpiesforourown]

Shen Yuans obliviousness combined with him thinking of himself as an old man would make him soooo easy to manipulate I'd be like xiansheng can I help you cross the road? And when I grab his hips he'd be surprised but then go oh it's nothing like that, I'm an old man being helped by a nice youth. This man is like 25

[lilybug-02]

Some Symptoms of ADHD from Someone who is diagnosed:

Forgetfulness that impacts daily life

Difficulty remembering others names and even faces

Hard to stop fidgeting or moving when bored. Difficult to stop even when aware

Hyperfocus

Lack of motivation in tasks, even more so when external motivations are not given

Difficulty in being organized for extended periods of time

[[Symptoms of Adult ADHD]]

[valtsv]

the goncharov stuff was on my dash, have no idea what it is (still dont) and i just started reblogging with the mindset of “i’m sure i’ll figure out what it is in a bit”

goncharov context

[dooffirmations]

They are laughing at the people who thought her dress was blue