When you normally think of the act of gaslighting, some of the most common things that come to mind are romantic relationships, families, and even co-workers. But believe it or not, many of us are prone to gaslighting ourselves! It sounds ridiculous, but it is true! The British clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Smith points to three warning signs that your way of thinking might be keeping you from being happy without you even realizing it. If any (or all of these) signs are relatable to you, then you are essentially doing a toxic person’s job for them. She warns that gaslighting has seriously adverse effects on our mental health when others are doing it towards us, but what about when we’re doing it towards ourselves? In many cases, people who are prone to gaslighting themselves have had traumatic experiences in which they were the victims of this at the hands of others. As a result, they are emulating that behavior, but using it to inflict psychological harm on themselves. It’s also not a simple matter of this behavior wearing off soon after escaping from the situation; the damage to your wellbeing is something that can last for a very long time. In order to heal, it is important to recognize the signs below.
WHO IS DR. JULIE SMITH?
Dr. Julie Smith is a clinical psychologist who is recognized as the first professional to use TikTok in order to provide insights on psychological health. She is a No. 1 best-selling author and a featured host of “Overcoming Stress and Anxiety,” on Calm, a YouTube content series. When you’re looking for ways to manage your high actress or acute anxiety and become a more confident person, Dr. Smith offers great advice.
3 Warning Signs You Might Be Gaslighting Yourself 
