Treatment FAQ

how do i respond to the silent treatment

by Prof. Amir Simonis Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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6 Ways to Respond to the Silent Treatment

  1. Take some time to cool off..
  2. Give your partner space to think..
  3. Don't apologize unless you're truly sorry..
  4. Apologize if you're truly sorry..
  5. Ask yourself whether it's just a personality difference..
  6. Set rules for healthy communication.. Since the silent treatment is a way for your partner to gain control, you...

How to respond
  1. Name the situation. Acknowledge that someone is using the silent treatment. ...
  2. Use 'I' statements. ...
  3. Acknowledge the other person's feelings. ...
  4. Apologize for words or actions. ...
  5. Cool off and arrange a time to resolve the issue. ...
  6. Avoid unhelpful responses.
Jun 8, 2020

Full Answer

What is the best way to handle the silent treatment?

5 effective ways to respond to the silent treatment 1. Close the emotional distance. Offer the olive branch. Taking the silent treatment at face value, the first move is to... 2. Stand up for yourself. If the first option isn’t the right thing for you or doesn’t fit with the situation then tell... ...

How to respond when someone gives you the silent treatment?

Feb 03, 2022 · 5. They don't want to communicate because they want to be taken seriously. Sometimes, when you have a narcissist in a relationship, they cause arguments with their partners because they think they are always right. Now, their partners might take the silent treatment route because they feel like they're never heard.

How long should I tolerate the silent treatment?

Mar 17, 2022 · You respond by rebooting your marriage patterns, rather than falling prey to the punishment of the silent treatment. Two kinds of restart are needed for the silent treatment. One is the restart on your marriage. The other is the restart …

What is the purpose of giving someone the "silent treatment"?

Jun 08, 2020 · How a person responds to the silent treatment depends on whether or not their partner is being abusive. If the silent treatment does not appear to be part of a larger pattern of abuse, a person can...

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How do you respond to silent treatment or stonewalling?

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.Dec 7, 2021

What does the silent treatment say about a person?

The silent treatment is a refusal to verbally communicate with another person, a way of withholding connection. It can be a spouse who stops talking after a fight or a displeased parent who refuses to speak or make eye contact with a child.Apr 7, 2022

What type of person gives the silent treatment?

Researchers have found that the silent treatment is used by both men and women to terminate a partner's behaviors or words rather than to elicit them. 1 In abusive relationships, the silent treatment is used to manipulate the other person and to establish power over them.Jun 1, 2020

How do you respond to emotional withholding?

Use "I" statements.
  1. For example, you may say, "I feel you are emotionally withholding from me and it bothers me" or "I feel we are not communicating our feelings as much as we could be and I would like us to try to figure out why that is."
  2. Try to be accepting and non-judgmental when you speak with your partner as well.

What is silent treatment?

Summary. The silent treatment is a refusal to communicate verbally with another person. People who use the silent treatment may even refuse to acknowledge the presence of the other person. People use the silent treatment in many types of relationship, including romantic relationships. It can sometimes be a form of emotional abuse.

Why do people use the silent treatment?

People use the silent treatment for a number of reasons. These include: 1 Avoidance: In some cases, people stay silent in a conversation because they do not know what to say or want to avoid conflict. 2 Communication: A person may use the silent treatment if they do not know how to express their feelings but want their partner to know that they are upset. 3 Punishment: If a person uses silence to punish someone or to exert control or power over them, this is a form of emotional abuse.

How to help someone in an abusive relationship?

It will help someone in an abusive relationship to: 1 stay in contact with their family and friends 2 talk privately with a trusted professional, such as a counselor or domestic violence advocate, who can discuss the person’s options in a safe space 3 seek advice and support from a domestic abuse organization, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline or Love is Respect

Why do people use silence?

they talk to other people but not to their partner. they seek alliances from others. they use silence to blame their partner and make them feel guilty. they use silence to manipulate or “improve” their partner, or to pressure them to change their behavior.

What is the meaning of "controlling"?

controlling all their finances and spending. controlling whether or not they go to work or school. humiliating them in front of others or on social media. using intimidating behavior, threatening them, or giving them ultimatums. threatening to harm themselves, pets, or loved ones. gaslighting them.

How to deal with a person who is abusive?

Avoid becoming defensive or going into problem-solving mode. Try to stay present and listen empathically. If the person responds in a threatening or abusive way, it is important to remove oneself from the situation until they calm down. Talk to a doctor, therapist, or trusted friend for help.

Is silent treatment a form of abuse?

It can sometimes be a form of self-protection, but at other times, it indicates emotional abuse. People who regularly use or experience the silent treatment should take steps to address it. If there are other signs of abuse, it may be necessary to seek outside support to stay safe.

Is the silent treatment good?

No, the silent treatment is seldom a good idea. When you’re using the silent treatment, you’re attempting to manipulate and control your partner or spouse. I can understand your resorting to not responding to your partner or spouse if they continue to batter your ears over something you really don’t want to talk about.

Can you change your partner?

you are not your partner’s therapist. you cannot change your partner, and neither should you change yourself to fit in with their demands beyond reasonable compromises.

1. Understand What the Silent Treatment Is

To one partner, the silent treatment is their way of dealing with an argument, but to the other, it’s a sign of shutting down. When your significant other refuses to speak to you or even acknowledge you, it’s not only infuriating but might also affect your bond.

2. Then Why on Earth Is My Partner Doing It?

We’re going to go ahead and assume your partner isn’t actively trying to hurt you—better yet, your S.O. is likely trying to avoid a screaming match by clamming up in the first place.

What is silent treatment?

The silent treatment is a painful behavior opted by one of the partners in a relationship when one ignores the other partner, not acknowledging them through any form of communication.

Is silent treatment a psychological problem?

The silent treatment is no doubt a psychological problem in many cases. Silent treatment consists of many psychological strategies and behavior with a single target to ignore the other partner.

Is silent treatment painful?

Receiving any kind of silent treatment is painful and feels like a punishment. Actually, it’s a form of punishment that was used in prison or other disciplinary institutes to ‘teach a lesson’.

Is silent treatment considered mental abuse?

It is important to note that silent treatment is classified as a form of mental abuse and that no one, whether male or female, deserves the silent treatment in a loving, healthy relationship.

What does it mean when a narcissist gives a silent treatment?

He does not care about other people feelings and he only cares about his own self. So when a narcissist gives the silent treatment, he is looking to exploit you . He wants you to submit to him, listen to him, and obey him. In a silent treatment, a narcissist wants you to beg him and pay attention to him, even if he is wrong.

Is it important to take a break from your partner?

Taking a break for yourself is important, but allowing your partner some space is equally important as well. It is a common mistake to repeatedly ask your partner about ‘What is wrong?’ when he/she is giving you the silent treatment.

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