top of page

You Are Driving Me Crazy!




Have you ever said these words to your spouse or partner? "You're driving me crazy!" Or have you ever thought to yourself in a relationship, "Am I going crazy?" Do you spend time second-guessing yourself or thinking, "How did we get here?" or "Why does this keep happening?" Well, there may be an explanation for that. When I talk to my clients about these thoughts and feelings, I notice a common pattern:

1) You question the quality of the relationship (i.e. Is this the relationship I really want to be in?).

2) You have attempted to end this relationship in the past.

3) You take personal responsibility for the recurring issues in the relationship.


If these three aspects resonate with you, then it is likely that you might be in an unhealthy relationship, but how do you spot if you are in a relationship with a narcissist? A narcissist is someone who views and portrays themselves so highly that they are inhibited from taking responsibility for the consequences of their own actions. These individuals will do and say what they must to obtain the things they want in life. For them to acknowledge how their actions might have affected you, or for them to sincerely acknowledge any wrongdoing at all, it is nearly an impossible struggle.


Essentially, you become the one to blame, the inconsiderate one, doesn't listen, and the reason for all the problems in the relationship. You may think to yourself, "There is no way one person is responsible for all the problems in the relationship." And still, you doubt yourself and wonder whether you are the problem.


How is it possible that you could be so conflicted? Well, many narcissists like to use a special technique called gaslighting. Gaslighting is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as: "To manipulate (someone) by psychological means into questioning their own sanity."


What Does This Look Like?


In its simplest form, gaslighting can look like this: You ask, "How was your day?" Your partner intentionally ignores you; you become upset and respond, "Why are you ignoring me?" Your partner becomes defensive and says, "I am not ignoring you, stop accusing me." Before you know it, you are in an all-out brawl over something that happened 3 months ago. One moment, you are trying to connect with your partner about their day. Then, BOOM! You are questioning if you are the one who overreacted and caused the fight.


This leaves you feeling powerless and disconnected. The moment your partner refused to take responsibility for their actions (i.e. intentionally ignoring you) was the moment the argument took a turn, and you are left unsure if they truly didn't hear you or if they purposely tried to push your buttons.


Gaslighting is hard to see when it is happening to you and many times, this can happen without either party realizing it's happening. However, if you are noticing that there is a pattern of gaslighting and your partner is refusing to take responsibility for their actions, you might question whether they are intentionally trying to "drive you crazy."


What Should You Do?


What should you do if you believe someone might be gaslighting you? Well, the first step is to express your feelings. Let your partner know how what they did made you feel. You might say something like this, "When you didn't respond, it made me feel very upset." Expressing your feelings is the most effective way to assess the other person's capacity for empathy.


When you express how you feel, you give the other person the opportunity to show empathy toward you. If your partner seems to struggle with this, bring it to their attention. If they are reluctant to acknowledge how you felt or make you feel bad for becoming upset, you will need to move to step 2.


Step 2 is to ask questions. Explore your partner's reasoning for why they responded to your emotions the way they did, and be clear about what you want. You might say, "Help me understand why you didn't respond to me. Would you be upset if you felt ignored by someone? Does it upset you when I feel ignored?"

If in asking these questions, it always seems to come back to how you messed up, you may consider whether you are a victim of gaslighting. If you discover that someone is gaslighting you, this is a huge red flag and can be classified as psychological abuse. Again, to reiterate, gaslighting can happen unexpectedly too. Just because you have been gaslit does not mean your partner is narcissistic. However, if you discover a pattern of this in your relationship, it may be time to seek professional help for your partner and for the relationship.


To book our counseling and coaching services visit: Nayaclinics.com/book-online

 

About Sam Nabil

Sam Nabil is the founder of Naya Clinics and is a Boston therapist and a Boston Marriage Counselor.

Sam offers therapy in Boston and Boston Marriage Counseling for adults suffering from relationship challenges, life transitions and anxiety. Sam Nabil was featured in many prestigious publications. Check out his interview with Aljazeera English, The Washington post, The Boston Globe, Fatherly magazine, Women's health magazine, Cornell university, Yahoo News, USA Today, Marriage.com


Naya Clinics is a top-rated Marriage Counseling, therapy and Life coaching practice.

Naya Clinics offers Marriage Counselors near me, individual therapy near me, and life coaching near me in various locations across the USA and the world. Naya Clinics also offers Online marriage counseling, online therapy, and online life coaching.


Naya Clinics and Services are offered in

Counseling in Columbus Counseling in Fort Lauderdale Counseling in Tampa Counseling in Atlanta Counseling in Indianapolis Counseling in Chicago Counseling in Northern Kentucky Counseling in Baltimore Counseling in Boston Counseling in Detroit Counseling in Minneapolis Counseling in St. Louis Counseling in New York City Counseling in Charlotte Counseling in Blue Ash Ohio Counseling in Hyde Park Ohio Counseling in West Chester Ohio Counseling in Philadelphia Counseling in Nashville Counseling in Washington DC Counseling in Denver Counseling in Phoenix Counseling in Los Angeles Counseling in San Bernardino Counseling in San Diego Counseling in San Francisco Counseling in Boulder Colorado Counseling in Austin Counseling in Dallas Counseling in Houston Counseling in Seattle Counseling in Manama Bahrain Counseling in Cairo Egypt Counseling in Kuwait Counseling in Muscat Oman Counseling in Doha Qatar Counseling in Dammam KSA Counseling in Riyadh KSA Counseling in Jeddah KSA Counseling in Dubai UAE Counseling in Abu Dhabi UAE Counseling in Al Ain UAE Counseling in Paris France Find us on Linkedin Find us on Facebook Find us on Twitter Find us on on Instagram Find us on Youtube


6 comentários


CQTS NWVB
CQTS NWVB
21 hours ago

google seo google seo技术+飞机TG+cheng716051;

game game

game game

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

game game

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger…

03topgame 03topgame

EPS машины EPS машины;

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS and EPP…

EPS Machine EPS Cutting Machine;

Curtir


NKJD IITY
NKJD IITY
18 de nov.

google seo 外链发布+飞机TG+cheng716051;

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine;

EPP Machine EPP Shape Moulding…

EPP Machine EPP Shape Moulding…

EPP Machine EPP Shape Moulding…

EPP Machine EPP Shape Moulding…

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding Machine

Curtir

NKJD IITY
NKJD IITY
17 de nov.

谷歌seo优化 谷歌SEO优化;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger Slots;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Fortune Tiger;

Fortune Tiger Slots Fortune Tiger Slots;

Curtir

XTGY TPTQ
XTGY TPTQ
11 de nov.

EPS Machine EPS Cutting…

EPS Machine Eps Raw…

EPS Machine EPS Recycling…

EPS Machine EPS Mould;

EPS Machine EPS Block…

EPP Machine EPP Shape…

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding…

EPS Machine Aging Silo…

EPTU Machine ETPU Moulding…

EPS Machine EPS and…

EPS Machine EPS and…

AEON MINING AEON MINING

AEON MINING AEON MINING

KSD Miner KSD Miner

KSD Miner KSD Miner

BCH Miner BCH Miner

BCH Miner BCH Miner

Curtir
bottom of page