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Gaslighting, understood as a form of psychological manipulation aimed at eroding the victim’s perception, identity, and autonomy, has become a widely discussed phenomenon in contemporary literature due to its emotional impact and ethical implications. This essay examines gaslighting within the Panamanian context, integrating theoretical contributions and recent empirical findings on its manifestation in intimate relationships, institutional dynamics, and social structures marked by gender inequalities. Based on the analysis of psychological violence as a component of domestic violence, it becomes evident that Panama presents conditions that facilitate its emergence: in 2025, more than 16,000 reports of domestic violence were filed, predominantly against women, while the Ombudsman’s Office indicates that more than half of victims do not receive institutional support. International studies such as those by Chávez (2025), Ballester-Galí (2024), Khan et al. (2024), Darke et al. (2025), and Dickson et al. (2023), help contextualize the phenomenon by highlighting consequences such as decreased self-esteem, anxiety, depression, identity confusion, and learned helplessness. Moreover, research within the Panamanian judicial system warns of significant challenges in recognizing psychological violence and emotional manipulation as fully typified offenses, which limits the effective protection of victims. From an ethical and clinical perspective, the essay argues for the need to strengthen emotional validation, emotional intelligence education, and the training of mental health professionals, medical personnel, educators, police officers, and judicial operators. Finally, it underscores the urgency of public policies that explicitly integrate gaslighting into attention and prevention protocols, given its profound impact on mental health and its relationship with structural gender inequalities in the country. This work seeks to contribute to the critical understanding of the phenomenon and to promote more informed interventions that are sensitive to the Panamanian context.
