
Seven Effective Tips on Dealing with the Silent Treatment Taking a pause and reflecting on the real cause of the issue is always helpful in any kind of argument. Similarly, one of the best ways to respond to the silent treatment is to take a step back and allows yourself some time to cool off.
Do borderline’s use the silent treatment?
In my experience, a borderline will extort you with the silent treatment to get what they want. It might be to extract an apology, approval for something, could be anything. It’s a control tactic and they use it well.
How do I deal with a BPD who gives the silent treatment?
The best response to the silent treatment is to find a counselor who works on core damage and co dependent behavior. From this you will learn why you find a one sided, loveless and abusive relationship to be all you deserve. Accordingly follow the BPD s lead by showing her what the silent treatment looks like.
How do you deal with the silent treatment?
It’s a frequent occurrence and is lasting for longer periods. It’s coming from a place of punishment, not a need to cool off or regroup. It only ends when you apologize, plead, or give in to demands. You’ve changed your behavior to avoid getting the silent treatment. 1. Take a gentle approach: Make it about them
How can I help a friend with borderline personality disorder?
I believe the best way to help in this instance is to reassure the person that your love for them has not changed, you will always be there and what they’re feeling is 100% validated. Borderline’s have a very sour view of themselves and they project that onto others.

How do you respond to a borderline silent treatment?
How to respondName the situation. Acknowledge that someone is using the silent treatment. ... Use 'I' statements. ... Acknowledge the other person's feelings. ... Apologize for words or actions. ... Cool off and arrange a time to resolve the issue. ... Avoid unhelpful responses.
Does silent treatment work on BPD?
In quiet BPD, instead of confronting them or bursting out in rage, you shut down. You may disappear, ignore the offender, unfriend them on social media, or give them the silent treatment. If you don't give others a chance to explain or to try and mend the relationship, they may not even be aware of what has happened.
How do you get a borderline to talk to you?
Here are a few basic pointers for communicating with someone with borderline personality disorder in a healthy and productive way:Be patient.Be realistic.Try to separate facts from feelings.Validate feelings first.Listen actively and be sympathetic.Seek to distract when emotions rise.More items...•
How a quiet BPD thinks?
As with other mental illness terms, “quiet” BPD can be misleading. Having quiet BPD means that you direct any mood swings and behaviors inward, rather than directing them toward others. In other words, you “act in,” rather than “act out.” Acting inward can complicate an already invisible mental illness.
How does a borderline react to no contact?
Along with high emotions - the borderline partner's fear of abandonment may be triggered and they may try harder to hold onto the relationship - or possibly they won't be able to cope and will seek retribution.
How do you respond to stonewalling?
Here Are Some Alternative Responses When My Partner Stonewalls MeEmpathy Goes a Long Way. ... Be Open and Available to Talk. ... Connect with One Another. ... Communication, Communication, Communication. ... Try to Avoid Going Toe to Toe. ... Focus on Your Self-Care. ... Pardon Your Partner. ... Stress Management.More items...•
Are borderlines aware of their behavior?
People with borderline personality disorders are aware of their behaviors and the consequences of them and often act in increasingly erratic ways as a self-fulfilling prophecy to their abandonment fears.
What do you do when your BPD is mad at you?
Be a listener Listen actively and be sympathetic and focus on emotions rather than the words. Ensure that you demonstrate that the person with BPD feels heard. When someone is upset or angry, it's easy and understandable to reciprocate, but it is not helpful.
How do you make BPD feel loved?
The following 9 strategies can help you support a person with BPD:Learn about BPD. ... Show confidence and respect. ... Be trustworthy. ... Manage conflict with attachment. ... Encourage Professional Help. ... Identify strengths. ... Have fun together. ... Take suicide seriously.More items...•
What triggers quiet BPD?
Some potential causes of quiet BPD may be the result of: Family history of various personality disorders. History of other mental health conditions (anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, etc.) History of neglect, abuse, trauma, or abandonment in childhood.
How long do borderline episodes last?
These experiences often result in impulsive actions and unstable relationships. A person with BPD may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from only a few hours to days.”
How does quiet BPD affect relationships?
When you have Quiet BPD, you would not directly confront people or fight for your relationships. Instead, you withdraw and cut yourself off from them. You discard relationships easily, leaving the other person in confusion. When you look back, however, you may regret losing some friends.
What triggers a person with borderline personality disorder?
These include: being a victim of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. being exposed to long-term fear or distress as a child. being neglected by 1 or both parents. growing up with another family member who had a serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or a drink or drug misuse problem.
How do you stand up to someone with borderline personality disorder?
To help someone with BPD, first take care of yourselfAvoid the temptation to isolate. ... You're allowed (and encouraged) to have a life! ... Join a support group for BPD family members. ... Don't neglect your physical health. ... Learn to manage stress. ... Listen actively and be sympathetic. ... Focus on the emotions, not the words.More items...
How do you stop a borderline episode?
If you suffer from borderline personality disorder, here are some ways to help cope with the symptoms that can lead to or trigger an episode:Take a warm shower or bath.Play music that relaxes you.Engage in a physical activity.Do brain teasers or problem-solving activities.Talk to a sympathetic loved one.More items...•
Do borderlines cry a lot?
Compared to non-patients, BPD patients showed the anticipated higher crying frequency despite a similar crying proneness and ways of dealing with tears. They also reported less awareness of the influence of crying on others.
What is silent treatment?
The silent treatment is an abusive method of control, punishment, avoidance, or disempowerment (some times these four typesoverlap, sometimes not) that is a favorite tactic of narcissists, and especially thosewho have a hard time with impulse control, that is, those with more infantile tendencies. The silent treatment can be used as anabusive tactic ...
What to do if your boss has no sense of humor?
If your colleague or boss has no sense of humor, or is truly a narcissist, this will backfire, so be careful! The main thing is to develop a strong sense of self and not let it get to you. Remember, you can only change your behavior, not anyone else’s.
What does it mean when an abuser refuses to speak to you?
When the abuser gives you the cold-shoulder and refuses to speak to you because you’ve said/done something that bothers them and will not accept any reasonably sincere apology. This is punishing you with silence.
What to say to a parent who doesn't live with you?
If you are on the receiving end of a snippy, clipped semi-silent treatment, you can say something like: Dad/Mom, I love you so much and I want our relationship to be enjoyable and supportive.
Can I go to therapy with my spouse?
Getting your spouseto go to therapy with you may not always be possible, but if the relationships is important to them and you feel that their behavior is irreparably damaging it, you might be in a position to strongly encourage even demand it of them. If not, go to therapy on your own so you can learn how to handle their behavior in a way ...
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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 is silent treatment important?
for healthy relationships. Using the silent treatment prevents people from resolving their conflicts in a helpful way. When one partner wants to talk about a problem but the other withdraws, it can cause negative emotions such as anger and distress.
How does silent treatment affect relationships?
How it affects relationships. In most cases, using the silent treatment is not a productive way to deal with a disagreement. Research indicates that both men and women use the silent treatment in relationships. However, clear and direct communication is essential. for healthy relationships.
Why do people stay silent in a conversation?
These include: Avoidance: In some cases, people stay silent in a conversation because they do not know what to say or want to avoid conflict. 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.
What does it mean to acknowledge someone is using the silent treatment?
Acknowledge that someone is using the silent treatment. For example, a person can say, “I notice that you are not responding to me.” This lays the foundation for two people to engage with each other more effectively.
How does silence end?
the silence lasts for extended periods of time. the silence only ends when they decide it does. 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.
What to do if someone feels they are in danger?
If a person feels that they or their family are in immediate danger, they must call 911. If they are not in immediate danger, a person who believes that their partner is abusive should consider whether or not they wish to stay in the relationship. It will help someone in an abusive relationship to:
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.
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.
What to do if he is not taking a step?
If he is still not taking a step after you clearing your values and boundaries clearly and waiting for him to take the step, then it’s time to reevaluate your relationship closely.
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.
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.
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.
Silent Treatment
Why do you use the silent treatment? Why do you push others away and sometimes ignore them for days, weeks, months, years? I know we sometimes do it because we're afraid and can't handle the emotions but I wonder if we also do it as a way to gain more attention from the person we're ignoring.
Re: Silent Treatment
Good question. My mom used to use it on me all the time for trivial things. My dad usually had to intervene by screaming at her to stop being such a b*tch to me.
Re: Silent Treatment
isoko49 wrote: IF I give the silent treatment it is purely because the emotional reaction that the other person evoked in me was so overwhelmingly powerful. Whenever I see that person, I remember the emotional whirlwind and I can't talk.
Re: Silent Treatment
i am pretty sure i usually only do this out of anger. either to punish that person or because it's the only way to avoid saying/doing something really hurtful.
Re: Silent Treatment
I use the silent treatment only on SOs who I feel have slighted me. I have a very low tolerance for any kind of disagreement/feelings of discontent. For example, my current SO stood me up the other day.