- Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) – Narcissists may gaslight to maintain their self-image, deflect blame, or manipulate others into serving their needs.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) – People with ASPD may use gaslighting as part of a broader pattern of manipulation or exploitation.
- Insecurity and Low Self-Esteem – Some gaslighters might not have a diagnosable disorder but may manipulate others out of fear, insecurity, or poor emotional regulation.
- Learned Behavior – People who grow up in environments where manipulation was common may adopt gaslighting as a tool, even without understanding the harm they're causing.
Not Always Clinical: It’s important to note that not everyone who gaslights has a mental illness. Some people engage in gaslighting knowingly and deliberately as a form of abuse, while others might do it subconsciously without realizing the impact.
If you're dealing with gaslighting, whether from a partner, family member, friend, or coworker, it's worth taking seriously—regardless of whether a psychological disorder is involved.