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maybe one explanation for autistic people being gaslighted by neurotypicals

Phased

"Gaslighting is the manipulation by psychological means of a person (or group) which causes them to doubt themselves, their capabilities or their sense of reality. "

I recently came across this article Cognitive Dissonance and Autism | The Neurodivergent Brain

I came out of it understanding that according to the article...

Memories of events stay the same however interpretation of why things happened as they did can change, this is a more "autistic way" of how to settle mental confusion. 

Neurotypical people on the other hand are more likely to change their memories of things to settle the confusion.

So when a neurotypical person gives a version of events that completely is at odds with what autistic people recall happening which consequently "gaslights" the autistic person this might explain it.

I have to say that for myself this has a sense of authenticity about it.

Or am I just deluding myself as much as the article accuses neurotypical people of doing to themselves?

Thought anyone please?

Parents

  • Ugh I have had too much gaslighting over the years! I’ve been told by so many people I’m not as happy as I think, if I’m happy why should I be because it’s not as if I’m rich unlike the Fing kardashians or these people who boast their lives of luxury over social media or whatever. If I was nice looking how come I’ve never been on a date? How come no company has approached me? Etc etc! If I say I don’t find someone attractive, then apparently I do think their attractive but I’m too jealous to admit it and they have hot girlfriends or wives that I deep down aspire to look like. Now I can’t think of these people as gormless because apparently I’m the gormless ugly fat one (sorry I’m ranting again). My mum always used to pass comment on how I always looked like some sort of goddess character and how many people have said that I am apparently stunning but apparently those people who have said nice things have just said that to make me feel better but are lying to me. These horrible gaslighters said I look nothing like all these characters or that because I’m fatter and uglier, flatter chested, thin lips etc and all these ones I’m jealous of are like the beautiful characters and goddesses etc. but those people have had work done to them but I’ve been told they haven’t and they are blessed with beauty. Even if I had work done to myself I would look awful compared to other who would have work done. Sorry for my rant and forgive me if I’ve made anyone feel uncomfortable, I can have this removed if needed. 

  • in reply to Elfilis

    Oh don't, I think it's cathertic to rant. It's been making me feel better certainly!

  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    Rant away!  Not harming anyone as far as I can tell :-)

    When I got really good at shouting I also found I got really good at speaking calmly too :-)

  • in reply to Phased

    That sounds like a good developmental curve along side walking/running.
    My second child learnt to communicate with her older brother(3) at 6 months by discovering when she screamed, he would, and they would both then have fits of giggles. 

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