Treatment FAQ

when your daughter gives you the silent treatment

by Nannie Murazik Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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There are two main reasons why a parent would give their child/adult child the silent treatment: their parent is a narcissist or they are emotionally immature. The narcissistic parent likes to be in control at all times. They do not like it when you attempt to assert a boundary, say no, or try to have your own mind and do things your own way.

Full Answer

Should you give your child the silent treatment?

Oct 24, 2011 · The silent treatment is a form of cruelty. Effective but cruel. I would not approach her, but I would not rush to accept her if she should determine that she wants to keep in touch, you'll teach her that the silent treatment is a type of …

What kind of person gives the silent treatment to his daughter?

Here are 10 tips for dealing with your child's silent treatment: 1. Don’t fall into the “reaction trap.” Many parents take the silent treatment personally; they feel powerless as a parent and react with anger and threats. This is exactly what your child wants. When you get mad and lose it, your child wins – and he/she knows it.

Why does my wife give Me the silent treatment?

Jul 20, 2021 · The silent treatment prevents any progress from being made and produces a stalemate that never gets resolved. The child is now burdened to approach the parents about the unresolved problem — but...

Would You give your partner the silent treatment for one month?

Nov 18, 2014 · Let’s start with some four common examplesof silent treatment (there are more): 1.When theabuser (and make no mistake–the silent treatment is a form of abuse) gives you the cold-shoulder and ...

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Why is my daughter giving me the silent treatment?

The silent treatment gives your child a feeling of power and control over you. It's how they push your buttons and get you to leave them alone. Know that if your child gives you the silent treatment, that's probably the best problem-solving skill he has at that moment.

What to do when your child is giving you the silent treatment?

How silent is the silent treatment?
  1. Don't lecture her or tell her how hurt you feel.
  2. Try to have positive interactions with her.
  3. Engage her in activities you've enjoyed doing together.
  4. Sit down to meals with her.
  5. Don't pump her for information.

What to do when your daughter stops talking to you?

Five Tips When Estranged and Cut Off From Your Child
  1. Get Support. Being cut off by your child, with no ability to understand, communicate and resolve things, is difficult enough. ...
  2. Don't Cut off in Response. ...
  3. Don't Feed the Anger. ...
  4. Listen to Your Child Without Defending Yourself. ...
  5. Focus on Yourself, Not Your Child.

Why does my daughter not talk to me?

You talk too much: If you child is more introverted, they may need time to be quiet, time alone or time to process what you're asking. If your child is more extroverted, they may need more time to talk. You're judgmental: Your child may not talk to you because they are afraid of your response.

What is the psychology behind the silent treatment?

The silent treatment is a particularly insidious form of abuse because it might force the victim to reconcile with the perpetrator in an effort to end the behavior, even if the victim doesn't know why they're apologizing. “It's especially controlling because it deprives both sides from weighing in,” Williams said.Mar 26, 2021

Is it OK to give your child the silent treatment?

The silent treatment can be a viable form of discipline if it's done with intention and in the service of behavior modification and self-preservation. And, yes, that assertion can feel at odds with parenting styles that place an emphasis on hovering or yelling to keep kids in line. But that's kind of the point.Sep 2, 2021

Why is my grown daughter so mean to me?

She Doesn't Have Healthy Coping Mechanisms. If your daughter doesn't have healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with strong emotions, she's likely to lash out at others. This means that whenever she's going through something, she will effectively make life miserable for those around her.Jul 11, 2021

What is a toxic mother daughter relationship?

Simply put, a toxic relationship is in which your mental, psychological, or physical well-being is put in danger. Often, toxic relationships can be borne out of good will, like if a parent finds themselves getting too involved in the intricacies of your personal life because they don't want anything bad to happen.Nov 1, 2021

How do you deal with someone who won't talk to you?

If someone is giving you the silent treatment, you can confront them by having a calm and honest conversation. Ask them to speak in a private place, like a park bench or quiet coffee shop, so you won't get distracted. As you talk, tell them you value your relationship and express how their silence makes you feel.

How do you get your daughter to talk to you?

LISTEN.

Don't talk, listen. Reflect back what they're saying so they know you understand, and then be quiet so they can talk more. If they don't keep talking, you can ask another question, but keep your tone companionable, not interrogatory.

How does ignoring a child affect them?

Ignoring usually helps stop behaviors that your child is using to get your attention. This includes behaviors like throwing tantrums, whining, and interrupting. When you are ignoring, you do not look at your child or talk to him.

Is it normal for a 3 year old not to talk?

A 3-year-old who can comprehend and nonverbally communicate but can't say many words may have a speech delay. One who can say a few words but can't put them into understandable phrases may have a language delay. Some speech and language disorders involve brain function and may be indicative of a learning disability.Oct 30, 2019

What is 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.

When the silent treatment is part of the larger issue of emotional abuse, don't blame yourself. It's not

When the silent treatment is part of the larger issue of emotional abuse, don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. You’re not responsible for their behavior, no matter what they tell you. If that person genuinely wants to change, they’ll get themselves into counseling.

How does silent treatment affect self esteem?

When it’s used regularly as a power play, it can make you feel rejected or excluded. This can have a huge effect on your self-esteem.

How to deal with emotional abuse?

Make it about you. Ignore it. Offer solutions. Stand up for yourself. What not to do. Signs of emotional abuse. Get help. Takeaway. If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t get someone to talk to you, or even acknowledge you, you’ve experienced the silent treatment.

What to do when things escalate to emotional abuse?

When things escalate to emotional abuse, you’re not in a healthy relationship. It’s time to put yourself first. If you believe the relationship is worth salvaging: Set firm boundaries about what acceptable behavior is and how you expect to be treated.

Why do people go silent?

But some people use the silent treatment as a tool for exerting power over someone or creating emotional distance.

How to get clear on what you expect from each other?

Take turns listening and repeating what the other person says so you’re clear on what you expect of each other. If you’re in a romantic relationship, offer to go to couples counseling to learn some new tools.

What is silent treatment?

The silent treatment is a form of cruelty. Effective but cruel. I would not approach her, but I would not rush to accept her if she should determine that she wants to keep in touch, you'll teach her that the silent treatment is a type of manipulation that she can use for whatever reason.

Can you change your DD's behavior?

The silent treatment is the worst, I think, a form of bullying as someone here once said. Unfortunately you can't change your DD's behavior but you can change your reaction to it. As the others have said, give her space (which more importantly gives you space) and take some time to nurture yourself.

Does your DD speak to you?

coleen- it is unfortunate that your DD does not speak to you. I understand that living with your parents as an adult can be quite difficult. As an adult, you want to govern yourself, but if you live with the parents, you are still under their rules. I find that these situations usually never work out well, especially if there is a BF or GF involved. I think your DD is probably upset with the way the the drug pipe situation was handled. Being snooped on by your parents, knowing that they went through your stuff, can make you feel violated and intruded upon. Not that you didn't have the right to do such a thing legally, it's just that morally, in all reality, you probably shouldn't have been going through their personal things. Yes, I understand the suspicion of drug use was there, but if you thought that either one of them was using, you should have just asked them to leave without going through their things. Now,if this DD of yours was a minor, have at her things, but I think you crossed the line by snooping through their stuff.#N#Now, all you can to is wait it out. Give her some space and eventually she will come around. It sounds as if 3 out of 4 of your children have had limited contact with you. Honestly, I think you might want to reexamine those situations and ask yourself if there was anything you could have done to contribute to these situations. I know its hard and you don't want to think that you might have done someting wrong, but it is important for you to be aware of any behavior that is pushing others away in order to keep this from happening again. Good luck to you. Keep posting.

Why do teens use silent treatment?

A youngster or teenager who uses the silent treatment does so as a way to shut parents out – and push their emotional buttons. The silent treatment also gives the youngster a feeling of power and control over the parents. And the more parents make an issue of this form of emotional abuse, the more the youngster uses this strategy.

How to deal with a child who is mad?

1. Don’t fall into the “reaction trap.” Many parents take the silent treatment personally; they feel powerless as a parent and react with anger and threats. This is exactly what your child wants. When you get mad and lose it, your child wins – and he/she knows it. Also he/she will kick-up the silent treatment to a whole new level now that it has been reinforced by your over-reaction.

Do defiant children live in a home?

Many families of defiant children live in a home that has become a battleground. In the beginning, the daily struggles can be expected. After all, we knew that problems would occur. Initially, stress can be so subtle that we lose sight of a war, which others do not realize is occurring. We honestly believe that we can work through the problems.

Why do some parents resort to silent treatment?

Not all parents are the same. Some may resort to silent treatment because they must always be in control and must always have things done in a certain way — even if there were other ways to approach the problem.

What does silent treatment mean?

Yet, the silent treatment is often interpreted as a form of abandonment, especially when impressionable children are involved. It leaves children feeling isolated, unloved, worried, and lonely — which is truly horrifying.

Why are children willing to keep the vitriol inside?

Developing children are willing to keep the vitriol inside because they’re so worried about seeing the silent treatment ever again. That’s how profoundly sad they were — they hated it so much that they were willing to accept the pain of the situation, even if it was hard for them to process.

What are the effects of silent treatment?

In this other research study, children (and even adults) who underwent silent treatment also dealt with lowered self-esteem, deficits in social communication, and increased avoidance behaviours. Rather than face a problem as adults, they’d rather head for the nearest exit.

When can you talk to your parents again?

When the parents feel ready, or when they eventually stop the silent treatment, then you can cautiously talk to them once more — but only after they first established contact with you .

Is silent treatment worth it?

The pain that the silent treatment causes children is not worth it. As that child gets older, they will assume that others, such as potential romantic interests and friends, will be the same.

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 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.

What does it mean when an abuser gives you the cold shoulder?

3.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 even tellyou what it is that you’ve said or done, leaving you powerless to make an apology. This is punishing and disempowering you with silence.

What are some examples of curt sentences?

An example might be your mom wants you to come for the holidays and you can’t this year, so she either refuses to take your phone calls or she speaks to you in curt, clipped sentences.

What to say when your spouse refuses to speak to you?

Your spouse refuses to speak to you or stomps around answering you in curt, clipped one-word answers. When you ask what’s bothering them, they say: If you cared about me/loved me, you’d know what’s bothering me. If you cared you’d apologize for what you did. Or they say nothing at all. 4.

How to make someone not take themselves so seriously?

Instead, appear (and truly feel, if possible) relaxed and positive. Laughing at them will only incite or enrage them, but if they use the silent-treatment regularly or other controlling, disempowering tactics, a sigh, smile and shake of the head (with maybe a strategic eye roll) can diffuse the situation. If done in a friendly, gentle manner,these gestures sends the message that you aren’t taking them so seriously and it gives them permission to back down and not take themselves so seriously.

What to tell someone to stop?

Another response that might get the person to stop is to tell him that his behavior appears immature, controlling, desperate, manipulative, ridiculous, etc. It’s best to do this if you truly do not feel affected by his behavior and can even laugh it off.

How to respond to silent treatment?

It is difficult to provide a definitive response as to how you should respond to the silent treatment. You first need to ask yourself why your partner is acting in this way. If he genuinely has a fear of confrontation, then you may be able to help him discover positive methods for resolving conflict.

Why do people use the silent treatment?

People generally resort to using the silent treatment as a means of placing them in a position of control (often because they feel helpless in the face of their situations, their feelings, etc.). A person may also use the silent treatment to avoid personal responsibility for his own actions or to suppress a partner's attempts at asserting self-worth. Additionally, he may be employing the silent treatment predominantly due to a lack of ability to properly communicate. Most likely though, it's attributable to a combination of the above factors.

What is silent treatment?

The Silent Treatment Is Emotional Abuse. The silent treatment is your partner's way of telling you that you have done something wrong. As a consequence of this, he refuses to acknowledge or communicate with you. This is passive-aggressive emotional abuse.

What does it mean when your partner is ignored?

In doing so, your partner is attempting to induce feelings of powerlessness and shame. This is known as psychological or emotional abuse.

Is silent treatment harmful?

Though it might seem like a normal part of a relationship, the silent treatment is actually a harmful form of emotional abuse.

Is it normal to be subjected to silent treatment?

Answer: It is never normal to be subjected to the silent treatment, which is a form of emotional abuse.

Is silent treatment passive or aggressive?

This is because the ' silent treatment ', also known as emotional withholding, is actually a form of passive-aggressive abuse.

What happens when emotion subsides?

But when emotion subsides, a more reflective part of the brain takes over and reviews the argument made by the reactive part. In a sense, it reviews the mental tape that was "recording" while the argument took place.

Can you teach someone to listen?

Teaching can take place only when someone is willing to listen. By becoming the silent partner in an argument with your teen, you can set the stage for some real teaching to begin.

Can a parent win an argument with a teenager?

I hazard to guess it would be almost impossible to find a parent of a teenager who hasn't felt bad about having an argument with his or her lovely, but occasionally contentious, child. I would also hazard to guess it would be virtually impossible to find a parent who ever won such an argument. That is, a situation where a parent argued a point so successfully that the teenager, in the middle of the argument, stopped, complimented the wisdom of the parent's perspective and promised to do better in the future.

How to respond to silent treatment?

Dig deep into the reasons why, they suggest. Respond to the silent treatment with calmness. Clearly state your boundaries. Talk to the person kindly.

What is silent treatment?

Psychologists consider the narcissistic silent treatment a form of abuse. It’s a popular form of mental torture used by narcissistic individuals, whereby they cut their victims off by not talking to them for extended periods of time.

Why do narcissists use silent treatment?

Narcissists use the silent treatment as a tool for exerting power over someone or creating emotional distance.

Why do narcissists pull the same disappearing act?

If the narcissist pulls the same disappearing act every time you want to have basic, adult communication, it’s not due to wounding, it’s due to their being highly manipulative and abusive.

What is the need to belong and feel accepted?

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the need to belong and feel accepted falls under the basic needs of food, water, and safety. In fact, this need can be so strong, it can override the needs of food and safety. Psychologists consider the narcissistic silent treatment a form of abuse.

What happens if you don't block a narcissist?

They see it as an invitation to send you random crippling abuse via SMS, to send out the occasional “dipping” message (to see if they can hook you), and to continue to keep you participating in their mind games…and this is exactly what happens when people don’t block the narcissist.

Why don't narcissists want to see the light?

They don’t want to see the light because they’d rather keep you in the dark. This explains why years of couple’s counseling and therapy never help in the long term when you’re dealing with a narcissist.

Why do people use the silent treatment?

People who use the silent treatment to win arguments and gain control need to understand the magnitude of their immature behavior. Confrontation lets them know that you see what they are doing and you understand the tactics they use. After telling them the truth, you can laugh about it.

What to do if you are silent?

If you are experiencing the silent treatment from someone you love, then therapy may be the only answer. This only works if your partner is willing to go to therapy in order to move forward. Unfortunately, so many people like using the silent treatment and don’t want a therapist taking that weapon away.

What is selfish treatment?

The selfish. People who haven’t been taught to care effectively for others in a household will use the silent treatment on a regular basis. Selfish people care for themselves over others and when something doesn’t go their way, they ignore others to make a statement.

How to win silent treatment?

1. Shrugging it off. One way to understand how to win the silent treatment is to brush it off or ignore it. If you aren’t necessarily in a close relationship with the person who is giving you the silent treatment, you may be able to just move on and act like nothing happened.

What happens when you are stuck in victim mentality?

So, when they are confronted with something they are doing wrong, they will grow silent and attempt to force their way.

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