A form of emotional abuse common to many toxic family systems is gaslighting. Experiencing gaslighting in any relationship is damaging, but the effects can be even more devastating when coming from a parent and the gaslighting happened when you were little.   Small children unconditionally trust their parents' point of view, so if the parents invalidated how they feel or what they saw or blamed them for things they are not responsible for, the child learned not to trust her own reality and to over-apologize.  

Unfortunately, this type of conditioning sets up the child to grow up to become an adult who is vulnerable to similar abuses by others.  

Gaslighting is a pernicious form of abuse. Often, it comes on so subtly and slowly that you don't even realize it's happening until it's too late.  Getting educated on gaslighting is important so you can catch the early warning signs and stop it in its tracks before the damages are done.

If you suspect you've been a victim of gaslighting, I think you will find this video helpful!