Cognitive Behavioral Strategies

Lynne S. Gots, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Toggle Menu

Contact Dr. Gots

202-331-1566

Email >

If you don't receive a response to an email from Dr. Gots in 48 hours, please call the office and leave a voicemail message.

Is OCD Gaslighting You?

By Lynne Gots, posted on July 6th, 2021.

The term “gaslighting” is so widely used today that most people, aside from classic film buffs, don’t know its origin–most famously from the 1944 movie Gaslight. The story revolves around a woman, played by Ingrid Bergman, whose husband tries to convince her she is going insane by repeatedly dimming the lights, making loud noises and talking to himself in the attic while insisting she is hallucinating. 

In the psychological literature and in popular culture, gaslighting describes efforts to manipulate someone’s perception of reality in order to gain control over the person. Successful gaslighters make their victims question their memories and experiences and, in extreme cases, even doubt their sanity.

OCD is a master gaslighter. Sometimes called “the doubting disease,” it manipulates by causing the sufferer to question every action, thought, and recollection. A person who is trapped in an OCD spiral will wonder, “Can I trust I am remembering the situation accurately?”  “Did I really lock the door/turn off the stove/unplug the hairdryer?” “Did I ask for consent in that sexual encounter?” “Did I say something offensive?” “Did I cheat on that test?”

OCD is a sly, creative, and very destructive manipulator. 

People with shaky self-esteem and low confidence may find it especially hard to stand up to gaslighters and assert their own assessment of reality.  OCD undermines self-confidence and leads to excessive questioning, which feeds doubt.

In an interview for the podcast The Psychology of, I discuss the traps OCD sets, particularly in relation to moral scrupulosity and doubt, with psychologist Zac Rhodenizer.  Check it out to learn more about how to stop OCD from gaslighting you.



Tags: , , ,
Posted in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


This blog is intended solely for the purpose of entertainment and education. All remarks are meant as general information and should not be taken as personal diagnostic or therapeutic advice. If you choose to comment on a post, please do not include any information that could identify you as a patient or potential patient. Also, please refrain from making any testimonials about me or my practice, as my professional code of ethics does not permit me to publish such statements. Comments that I deem inappropriate for this forum will not be published.

Contact Dr. Gots

202-331-1566

Email >

If you don't receive a response to an email from Dr. Gots in 48 hours, please call the office and leave a voicemail message.

ADAA Clinical Fellow
Categories
Archives
© 2008-2024 Lynne S. Gots, PhD. Photographs by Steven Marks Photography.