How silent treatment can harm relationships?
In general, the silent treatment is a manipulation tactic that can leave important issues in a relationship unresolved. It also can leave the partner on the receiving end feeling worthless, unloved, hurt, confused, frustrated, angry, and unimportant.
Why you should never give your partner the silent treatment?
It can be used to avoid conflict, but it can also have more sinister motives — like control and punishment. “Stonewalling is under the heading of psychological and emotionally abusive things to do,” says Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia NSW.
How do you deal with a partner that gives you the silent treatment?
“Communicate about the silent treatment, stating what you observe by using ‘I’ statements,” Gordon says. For example, “I notice you’re shutting down and not responding to me.” Then use more ‘I’ statements (because those don’t place blame on the other person) to explain how their silence makes you feel.
Can silent treatment lead to divorce?
Schrodt’s study shows that demand-withdrawal, including the silent treatment, can lead to relationship dissatisfaction and even be a factor in divorce.
Does the silent treatment last forever?
If the perpetrator still refuses to acknowledge the victim’s existence for long periods of time, it might be right to leave the relationship. In the end, whether it lasts four hours or four decades, the silent treatment says more about the person doing it than it does about the person receiving it.
What happens if you give a narcissist the silent treatment?
The silent treatment, while sometimes seemingly harmless when talking about it, can be a highly damaging and effective form of manipulation, coercion, and control used by toxic people. It is common, even though many victims feel alone and like they cant talk about it because no one will believe them or understand.