Gaslighting and ADHD

Main Chapters:

The word "gaslighting" originally referred to intentional manipulation to make someone question their sanity, but the term has increasingly been broadened. Some even use gaslighting to describe any interaction where someone feels that they are being misled or manipulated.

Many therapists encourage the view that those with ADHD grow up with so much criticism that as adults they are very likely to become victims of (further) gaslighting. But this fails to recognize that those with ADHD process the world around them differently than neurotypical individuals, and are therefore likely to perceive and recall events differently. This could lead to feeling that one is being gaslighted, when more benign explanations for discrepant experiences and recollections may apply.

Narcissism, manipulativeness, a desire to harm others (sadism), and psychopathy are all linked with gaslighting others. Some of these traits are linked to ADHD, but some are not, making it unclear whether those with ADHD are really more likely than the general population to gaslight others. However, because those with ADHD have tendencies to act impulsively, and to be less aware of other’s physical and emotional space, their behavior is more likely to be perceived by others as gaslighting.

In general, those being gaslit should, for their safety, minimize or eliminate contact with the perpetrator. There are no fool-proof ways to determine with certainty if someone is gaslighting you. But being open to alternative explanations for behavior, trying to observe rather than judge, and minimizing one’s own anger, may strengthen channels of communication to more effectively sort out what is going on in a relationship.

-----

Free link to my Medium Article on Gaslighting and ADHD:

Follow on Medium for hundreds of full length articles on this subject and more!

Access to other Medium articles requires paid membership.

-----

References:

So You Think You’ve Been Gaslit (The New Yorker, Leslie Jamison 2024)

Gaslight and gaslighting (2018)

“It’s All in Your Head”: Personality Traits and Gaslighting Tactics in Intimate Relationships (2023)

Knowing ADHD Facts Makes You Gaslight Proof (Gina Pera, the ADHD Rollercoaster blog)

The Gaslighting Risk: Why Adults with ADHD Are Particularly Vulnerable to Manipulation

Full Chapter list:

Streamed live May 22, 2024

-------------------

Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author John Kruse, MD, PhD presents practical, actionable, well-researched information about treatment options that scientists and clinicians recommend for adult ADHD and other mental health conditions.

Subscribe if you're curious about how neuroatypical brains can optimize their functioning in our shared, and somewhat strange, world.

ADHD topics have a pink background, and those on more general mental health topics have a purple background. A small collection of Politics related videos have an orange background.

Dr. Kruse has posted videos in the "Videos", "Live", and "Shorts", sections of this channel.

You're welcome to email him with topics you want discussed or people you think he should interview.

drjohnkruse@gmail.com

#health #mentalhealth #adhd #gaslighting