Originally Posted by
nodaybut2day 
Gaslighting for me:
Convincing me that I don't remember specific events and arguments correctly, by lying or manipulating or even threatening
or
Constantly telling me I was crazy
or
Trying to convince me that I was lying or had hidden secrets even I had forgotten
It eventually lead me to seriously doubt my own memories, and thus my sense of self-esteem...which in turn seriously undermined any desire or effort to leave the relationship. I thought I was worthless, broken and that I *needed* him to fix me, to tolerate me and to love me.
This is a pretty good description of the movie that gives the term its name.
"Gaslight"
A classic with Ingrid Bergman. I cant remember the male leads right now.
Excellent movie.
Ingrids spouse is an evil man, looking for treasure of jewelry Ingrids aunt left in her old house they are now living in. He needs to work in the attic of the house, and he starts doing little things to make her think she is just forgetful. By the end of the movie, she was really crazy.
Beth
Oh, she realizes with the help of this guy who knows what the evil spouse is doing.
The look on her face when she
knows about the evil spouse is indescribable!