Most psychologists indicate that it depends on the situation. When silence, or, rather, the refusal to engage in a conversation, is used as a control tactic to exert power in a relationship, then it becomes "the silent treatment," which is toxic, unhealthy, and abusive.
Full Answer
Is the silent treatment abuse?
However, when silence is used as a method of control or punishment, it becomes abuse. No one should passively allow themselves to be ignored by someone else, at least not without an explanation of their behavior. And no one should try to resolve a conflict using the silent treatment.
Is silence a form of abuse?
However, when silence is used as a method of control or punishment, it becomes abuse. No one should passively allow themselves to be ignored by someone else, at least not without an explanation of their behavior.
Does the silent treatment work in marriage?
This is just one example of how the silent treatment can work and can cause friction within a marriage. Silent treatment is a form of torture to someone that they profess to love. People who abuse others by using the silent treatment have learned that it works, so they use it over and over again.
What are the symptoms of the silent treatment?
The silent treatment has physical effects as well. Some very common symptoms are headaches and digestive problems. Fatigue and insomnia are also frequent complaints. If the situation is severe and prolonged, serious problems can arise, such as an increase in blood pressure, diabetes, or even illnesses like cancer.
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 are the types of emotional abuse?
demanding access to their phone, email account, and other digital information. deciding what they wear, eat, or drink.
Why do couples need counseling?
Couples who have difficulty communicating effectively may benefit from counseling. A therapist can help the partners express their feelings so that they can resolve conflicts in a healthy way.
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 is silent treatment?
The silent treatment is never about love. It is denying to another human being, the person that one is supposed to be the closest to on this earth, your affection and your interest. There is a saying that "The worst thing you can do to someone is not hate to them but to be "totally indifferent" to them.
What is the worst form of abuse?
Just about the worst form of abuse is the Silent Treatment. Which is someone who is in the same room as you are, but who is acting like you don't exist. They don't speak to you, they do not answer your questions or make comments on your statements, they completely ignore you and act as if you are invisible.
Do godly people give silent treatment?
Really nice godly people do not give the silent treatment to others. They listen, they communicate, they respond back and they engage and participate in the conversation. Even if they disagree they still will treat you with respect.
Is silent treatment worse than abuse?
Abuse is Abuse. And abuse is never ok. In one way though, the silent treatment is far worse than other forms of abuse, because it indirectly says to you that you are not a person, you are an object, you are invisible because they choose to make you "invisible" because you are not worthy of their time. THAT is one of the most hurtful and abusive things to do to another human being. It is a horrible feeling, being ignored and denied affection.
What is silent treatment?
The silent treatment is the sanitized version of distancing yourself from another person. Though the consequences are radically different, you can accomplish the desired “virtual erasure” of an individual from your life through the silent treatment. The silent treatment is not about an inability to communicate, ...
What does James mean by "silent anger"?
Expressing anger through silence is a common, albeit unfortunate form of communication in relationships. James described the silent treatment and other types of sinful anger as murder—a sobering descriptor that requires every Christian’s attention.
Is physical murder worse than silent treatment?
While we know physical murder is the severe, dramatic, and permanent erasure of someone’s life and is consequentially and exponentially far worse than the silent treatment, there is a similarity between these two forms of anger.
Why is silent treatment considered abuse?
1. It’s a means of exerting control over the someone. In any type of relationship, both parties should feel free to act how they choose.
What is silent treatment?
The silent treatment is the refusal to engage in verbal communication with someone, often as a response to conflict in a relationship. Also referred to as giving the cold shoulder or stonewalling, its use is a passive-aggressive form of control and can, in many circumstances, be considered a form of emotional abuse.
Why is silent treatment a form of control?
This, again, is a form of control because it gives the one who wields the silent treatment as a weapon the upper hand. They aren’t the ones who have to feel anxious about what the other may do.
What does it mean to give someone the silent treatment?
By giving the silent treatment, you are inferring that you are in the right and they are in the wrong and that it is their responsibility to fix this. You give them no choice in the matter – if they do not do what you want, the silence will carry on. 2. It’s a means of punishing the other person.
Why is it important to remain quiet?
In this case, remaining quiet is a way to cope with the situation and the person. Silence is a form of protection and is often the only way to calm things down following an altercation. The silent treatment is also recommended if you have escaped an abusive relationship with a narcissist or sociopath.
Why do people give silent treatment?
Most people who give the silent treatment don’t feel great about it at the time. It’s just a mechanism for dealing with conflict that they know.
What happens if one person uses the silent treatment on a regular basis?
If one person uses the silent treatment on a regular basis, it sows the seeds of anxiety in the mind of the other.
What is silent treatment?
The silent treatment is a strategy frequently used by people who appear to possess great self-control and claim to be more rational than emotional. At the same time, it is related not only to an expression of passive violence but also to a concealed strategy of psychological abuse. That is to say, it can profoundly damage the person on ...
What happens when you use silent treatment?
Sometimes people think that if they use the silent treatment, the other person will change their behavior or do what the other person wants them to do.
What does it mean when you activate the silent zone?
Activation in this zone means that physical symptoms also start to appear. Some very common symptoms are headaches and digestive problems. Fatigue and insomnia are also frequent complaints.
Should we allow ourselves to be ignored?
No one should passively allow themselves to be ignored by someone else, at least not without an explanation of their behavior. And no one should try to resolve a conflict using the silent treatment. When there is a problem between two people, the only healthy thing is to engage in dialogue to find solutions. Silence and distance only generate more problems and, in the end, solve absolutely nothing.
Is silence a good tactic?
As with many tactics, which are defensive and a result of insecurity, the use of this one shows very poor communication skills. Silence can be healthy when tempers are high and a pause is needed before something exacerbates the situation. However, when silence is used as a method of control or punishment, it becomes abuse.
