Are you sure you know what 'gaslighting' is?

Therapists say we're overusing the word. Here's what it actually means — and what the Ingrid Bergman film that helped birth the word can teach us about it.

Why This Matters

A recent warning from mental health professionals has sparked a conversation about the overuse of the term 'gaslighting.' As the concept gains widespread attention, it's essential to understand its original meaning and how it's being misapplied. This nuanced discussion has significant implications for how we approach mental health and relationships.

In Week 13 2026, Entertainment accounted for 13 related article(s), with Other setting the broader headline context. Coverage of Entertainment decreased by 21 article(s) versus the prior week, but remained material in the weekly agenda.

Coverage Snapshot

Week 13 2026 included 13 Entertainment article(s). Leading outlets for this topic included Fox News, BBC, CNBC. Across that cluster, sentiment showed a mostly neutral skew (avg score 0.03).

Key Insights

Primary keywords: word, gaslighting, therapists, overusing, actually.
Topic focus: Entertainment coverage with positive sentiment.
Source context: reported by NPR.
Published: 2026-03-25.
Published by NPR, a widely cited major outlet.
Date context: published during Week 13 2026, when Other dominated weekly headlines.

Tone & Sentiment

The article tone is classified as positive, driven by the language and emphasis in the summary. The sentiment score of 0.15 indicates the strength of that tone.

Context

The term 'gaslighting' originated from a 1938 play and 1944 film, 'Gaslight,' starring Ingrid Bergman. In recent years, the word has been used to describe a range of manipulative behaviors, from romantic partners to politicians. Media outlets have covered the story, with some highlighting the need for more precise language and others exploring the complexities of emotional manipulation. As the conversation continues, experts are urging a more thoughtful approach to understanding and using the term.

Key Takeaway

In short, this article underscores key movement in Entertainment and explains why it matters now.

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NPR Are you sure you know what 'gaslighting' is?