11 Gaslighting Phrases Used by Narcissists – And Powerful Responses To Shut Them Down

"Gaslighting Phrase #1: You’re too sensitive.

Affirm or respond with any of the following:

I am not oversensitive, you have a pattern of being insensitive and are defensive to being held accountable.

What I feel is a valid reaction to your outrageous behavior. I don’t have to defend or explain how I feel any further to you.

I am allowed to feel and express my emotions, and I am not going to argue about how I feel. Since you can’t accept my feelings, this conversation is over." - Shahida Arabi, MA

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The responses to gaslighting in this article can help to empower yourself while ending conversations with gaslighters and narcissists if you desire to do so and feel safe doing so. Do not use these responses to gaslighting with narcissists who are physically abusive in any way or may escalate. It’s important that after using these phrases, you immediately cut contact – whether by blocking this person, hanging up the phone call, or making an excuse to leave the in-person encounter, if there is any. Avoid using these responses in-person unless you have a safe witness and rely on these more for text, phone, and e-mail conversations that can be more easily documented. Keep in mind that these responses to gaslighting are not intended to change the narcissist or the narcissist’s behavior. They are meant to validate your experience and help you defend yourself. Whether told to the narcissist directly or affirmed only in your own mind, they are only meant to center yourself in the manipulation that is occurring and hold onto your truth before you exit the conversation.