Integrity Abuse vs. Gaslighting: What's the Difference?

Gaslighting is often named as the central harm in deceptive relationships. But gaslighting is only one tactic within a broader pattern the Minwalla DST framework calls integrity abuse.

Integrity abuse includes:

• Gaslighting

• Omission

• Minimization

• Narrative control

• Strategic truth release

Gaslighting manipulates perception. Integrity abuse manipulates reality itself.

This distinction matters because trauma does not resolve when gaslighting stops — it resolves when reality is fully restored and stabilized.

The Minwalla Model explains integrity abuse as sustained reality distortion, not isolated psychological tactics.

Understanding this difference helps partners stop blaming themselves — and helps betrayers understand why intent is irrelevant when impact is ongoing.

👉 Why integrity abuse causes trauma symptoms