One of the most devastating parts of narcissistic abuse is the *gaslighting* — the slow, calculated erosion of your reality. Narcissists don’t just lie; they manipulate truth itself. They deny what they said, rewrite events, and twist facts until you’re no longer sure of what’s real. Even when you bring clear evidence or calmly explain how something hurt you, they find ways to flip the script. Somehow, you become the one at fault — too sensitive, too dramatic, too forgetful. They claim you misunderstood, or worse, that it never happened.

They are masters at circular conversations — those exhausting, never-ending arguments that go nowhere. Every time you try to seek resolution, they divert the conversation, change the subject, or bring up your past mistakes to avoid accountability. You walk away from these exchanges mentally drained, full of self-doubt, and wondering if you're the problem. It's not just confusion — it’s emotional destabilization by design.

And yes, it can get to the point where you genuinely ask yourself, *“Do they actually believe their own lies?”* They’re so confident in their delusions that you start second-guessing your own memory, your own judgment, even your sanity. That’s what makes gaslighting so dangerous — it’s not just about control, it’s about rewriting your internal compass.

Over time, this form of manipulation chips away at your mental health, self-esteem, and even your identity. Survivors often leave these relationships feeling like they don’t even recognize themselves. But the truth is: *you’re not crazy*. You were systematically conditioned to doubt your truth — and now, healing begins by reclaiming it.