Therapy Talk: Gaslighting

2025-04-01

Warning: There is talk of Santa Claus in this episode. Listener discretion advised. In this episode of SSRI’M OK, hosts Dr. Bijan Zarrabi, a psychiatry resident, and Macey Isaacs, a stand-up comedian, delve into the concept of gaslighting—what it actually means and why people do it. They start by breaking down the origin of the term “gaslighting” and how it got its name before exploring the many tactics people use to manipulate others in this way. They also discuss what to do if you realize you’re being gaslit, the connection between narcissism and gaslighting, and how Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” music vid...

Warning: There is talk of Santa Claus in this episode. Listener discretion advised.

In this episode of SSRI’M OK, hosts Dr. Bijan Zarrabi, a psychiatry resident, and Macey Isaacs, a stand-up comedian, delve into the concept of gaslighting—what it actually means and why people do it. They start by breaking down the origin of the term “gaslighting” and how it got its name before exploring the many tactics people use to manipulate others in this way.

They also discuss what to do if you realize you’re being gaslit, the connection between narcissism and gaslighting, and how Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” music video portrays emotional manipulation. To help listeners distinguish between a simple misunderstanding and actual gaslighting, they go through a practical checklist and highlight the importance of using “I feel” statements in difficult conversations.

Finally, Macey throws some real-life scenarios at Bijan, and he decides whether they qualify as gaslighting or not. Tune in for a mix of insight, humor, and practical advice on navigating manipulation in everyday life!

Resources Mentioned:

“Gaslighter” by The Chicks
https://www.thehotline.org/resources/what-is-gaslighting/
“All Too Well” Music Video
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