007 - Breaking The Cycle of Generational Gaslighting

The Gaslight Effect

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern interviews Alyssa Haray about generational gaslighting and how Alyssa was able to identify the gaslighting in her family and break the cycle.

Alyssa discusses how interacting with the mother of her boyfriend, and watching him interact with his mother, showed her what a normal parent/child relationship should be, and how this experience changed how she interacted with her own mother and grandmother to break the cycle of gaslighting in her life.

Robin outlines the typical stages of gaslighting - 1) Don't believe 2) Defending 3) Depressed. Typically as a child you are exposed to all three of these feelings and often bounce between them, causing trust in yourself to be undermined.

Robin and Alyssa also talk about the importance of setting boundaries with a gaslighting parent, and having others in your life to support you outside of family relationships.

Alyssa very eloquently talks about how she understands that her mother is the product of her own upbringing and isn't in a place where she can recognize the gaslighting. Also, Alyssa and Robin discuss the emotional struggle that Alyssa has gone through to get to a place where she would feel comfortable having children of her own, and her fear of not being able to break the cycle of gaslighting.

This is an insightful and emotional episode that is a must listen for anyone who has experienced generational gaslighting.

For the full transcript of this episode as well as to hear other episodes and subscribe, please head over to robinstern.com!