7 Everyday Phrases That Secretly Manipulate Your Mind—Are You Falling for Them?
She’d lower her defenses, thinking a healthy discussion was coming. Instead, she’d find herself leaving the talk with a sense of guilt, convinced she’d done something wrong.
That’s precisely why it’s considered a subtle form of gaslighting. It confuses your emotional radar, making you second-guess whether you’re at fault.
Healthy communication might include criticism, but it also involves clear, respectful dialogue—without the twists and turns that leave you feeling like the bad guy.
4. “You’re too sensitive; I was just joking”
Some people hide behind humor as a way to unload cruel or belittling remarks.