what do you do if your girlfriend is giving you the silent treatment

1. Take Time to Cool Off. During a time of silence both partners should pause to reflect on what led up to the silent treatment episode, especially if it was ...
2. Give Your Partner Space to Think. Avoid trying to figure out what your silent partner or spouse is thinking. You're not a mind-reader.
3. Don't Apologize Unless You're Truly Sorry. Never apologize for something when you don't believe you did. How can you have an authentic, connected relationship by being false?
4. Apologize if You're Truly Sorry. Think about whether you really may have done or said something to hurt your partner or make them angry.
Ask Yourself Whether it's Just a Personality Difference. Is your partner an introvert while you are more of an extrovert? ...
Set Rules for Healthy Communication. When communication is difficult it can help to create some rules. Give your partner (and yourself) permission to calm down.

Full Answer

What to do when your partner gives you the silent treatment?

To sum up, if your partner gives you the silent treatment more than you feel is reasonable, look inward at how much support you provide for your partner’s self-worth. Both you and your partner need to feel this deep sense of value to have a fulfilling relationship that lasts over time.

Why does my boyfriend give me the silent treatment?

Again returning to your relationship, you’ll feel cynical about it if you believe your partner doesn’t really care about you. This cynicism, in turn, is what prompts the silent treatment. You will withhold “your ideas, information, and opinions” as a way of reducing your state of dissonance.

What happens when you give the silent treatment to someone?

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.

Should you apologize for the silent treatment in a relationship?

A person should not apologize or blame themselves for another person’s use of the silent treatment, as the silence is how their partner chooses to respond. However, they may need to apologize if they have said or done something that may have hurt the other person’s feelings.

Why a woman gives silent treatment?

In most cases, the demanding partner feels abandoned and the silent partner feels afraid—their silence is a way to protect themselves from more pain. To resolve the issue, both partners need to take responsibility for their behavior and try to empathize with their partner.

How long does silent treatment last for?

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.

Can silent treatment ruin relationship?

Findings from his in-depth analysis revealed that the silent treatment is 'tremendously' damaging to a relationship. It decreases relationship satisfaction for both partners, diminishes feelings of intimacy, and reduces the capacity to communicate in a way that's healthy and meaningful.

How do you deal with a silent partner in a relationship?

Dealing with a silent partnerTry to choose your time to talk. There are times that will be better than others. ... Express how their silence makes you feel. You can express how you feel about their behaviour perhaps going on to a constructive suggestion. ... Don't mind read. ... Do not repeat yourself. ... Remember the positives too.

What silence does to a man?

Silence can be a very powerful way to “be” with another person, especially when they are troubled. It can communicate acceptance of the other person as they are as of a given moment, and particularly when they have strong feelings like sorrow, fear or anger.

What kind of person gives silent treatment?

The silent treatment can happen in romantic relationships or any type of relationship, including between parents and children, friends, and co-workers. It can be a fleeting reaction to a situation in which one person feels angry, frustrated, or too overwhelmed to deal with a problem.

What do you do when your partner won't communicate?

Try being patient about his lack of communication and give him space when he does not want to communicate. You can also try being supportive and understanding. Ask to schedule a better time to talk. Finding a time both of you are comfortable could be the answer to how to communicate with a man that won't communicate.

How do you break a silence?

How to Avoid Awkward Silence (With Examples)Ask open-ended questions. ... Stop seeing silence as your fault. ... Give more than bare minimum answers. ... Talk about feelings and opinions instead of facts. ... Go back to a previous topic. ... See it as a sign to end the conversation. ... Lower your standards for what to say.More items...•

How do I stop the silent treatment?

If the silent treatment does not appear to be part of a larger pattern of abuse, a person can try the following approaches:Name the situation. ... 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.

What causes silence in a relationship?

Silence can be a form of avoidance in a relationship when one has an issue with their partner and is unable or unwilling to express it. People who are conflict-averse, for example, may resort to silence as a way of avoiding the possibility of an argument.

How to deal with a girl who is silent?

Another thing that you can do on how to deal with a girl giving you the silent treatment is by say an apology to her. Say it, that you feel sorry about thing that you did to her. Say it, that you feel sorry knowing that she feels bad or sad for now.

Why do people keep silent all day?

Even when someone is choosing to keep silent all day long, it is because there were something that made him or her choose to be that way. However, someone who can't really deal with his or her emotion until other people can see it clearly, surely that person has a problem. There are some similarity on how to deal with a girl who is mad at you ...

My girlfriend constantly gives me the silent treatment

DEAR DEIDRE: WHENEVER we have a disagreement, my girlfriend decides to give me the silent treatment.

Deidre helped me realise there was alternatives to suicide - thank you

DEIDRE SAYS: Your girlfriend sounds immature. The silent treatment is a passive-aggressive tactic people use in relationships when they want to punish or wound you, but it is emotional abuse.

How to deal with a silent spouse?

Give Your Partner Space to Think. Avoid trying to figure out what your silent partner or spouse is thinking. You're not a mind-reader. The silent treatment is a passive-aggressive form of communication. If you do their thinking for them, they won't learn how to be direct when sharing their thoughts and feelings.

How to respond to silent treatment?

Here are some ways to respond to the silent treatment. 1. Take Time to Cool Off. During a time of silence both partners should pause to reflect on what led up to the silent treatment episode, especially if it was preceded by an argument, fight, or emotional outburst.

What is a good morning jellygator?

Good Morning jellygator so nice meeting you, just enjoyed your fascinating, detailed hub, you covered so many interesting situations about the heartaches of relationships. As well as ideas and possible solutions, relationships are something not always easy. An excellent hub for all those couples searching for answers. Happy to be following you. Linda

What does it mean when your partner is silent?

In some cases, the silent partner is attempting to escape another toxic dynamic. If you are trying to force them to change or do things your way, you're giving them a reason to withdraw. If you criticize them as a person or assigning blame instead of focusing on finding solutions, you're contributing to the dynamic. If you let yourself feel like a victim, get depressed, or pout, you must recognize that you've been engaging in control tactics, too, and pledge to stop.

What is silent treatment?

The silent treatment is when one person in a relationship ignores the other person, refusing to acknowledge them verbally or through any other method. This usually happens after an argument, but it can also happen when the silent partner is angry and the other person doesn't know why. Being on the receiving end is painful and frustrating.

How to control your partner?

Changing Your Approach to the Relationship 1 Remind yourself that your partner feels uncertain and out of control. 2 Do not resort to sulking, pouting, or badgering. Try to maintain a calm attitude if you can. Take a walk to get a breath of air. 3 Consider whether you too might be trying to control the relationship more than your partner is comfortable with.

Is silent treatment a form of ostracism?

If you're on the receiving end, it's important that you know that no one, male or female, should accept the silent treatment as an acceptable behavior. You don't deserve it.