While I've become acutely aware of the ways in which intentional gaslighting actually occurs (one former therapist of mine also called it "crazymaking" .. not sure if that's a technical term), it would still be nearly impossible for me to "stay away from anyone who performed such an act". That said, I do think there are some regional differences; living in NYC as I do, there is always more than a preponderance of highly ambitious and success-driven narcissists in my midst. I can't imagine that many a rural location would be as densely populated by narcissists, per capita.

For me it's just something I need to be on the lookout for, to maintain some level of personal sanity, due to having endured a whole lot of battle fatigue from it already. It is a very double-edged sword though; I am wholly tuned in to the behaviors, because of my upbringing, and can easily see when someone is navigating my demeanor for signs of vulnerability--which makes it exhausting work to then monitor their monitoring. But it certainly beats what happens otherwise, the incessant abuse of those vulnerabilities once located. I think this is where the energy vampire idea comes in to play, because you're either being drained through your own necessary vigilance against attacks, or you're being run ragged by the attacks themselves.

When I have lived in other parts of the country I have experienced a better ability to surround myself with fewer such determined narcissists, which has enabled me to better minimize any negative effects of dealing with just those few. Where I live now though, it's a constant and unavoidable onslaught. I just saw something about NYC being voted the unhappiest city in the country, and I can't say as I'm surprised.. but the people who most romanticize this place (either up close or from a distance) are those for whom ambition and competition are primary personal factors, and I don't share those qualities in the same way.