How do you deal with a spouse that gives you the silent treatment?
Table of Contents
How do you deal with a spouse that gives you the silent treatment?
How to Respond to the Silent Treatment from Your Spouse
- Don’t assume you know the reason for the silent treatment.
- Explain to your Silent Spouse your need and desire to communicate.
- Be ready to listen, not just talk.
- Be gracious, not caustic or sarcastic, when your spouse does make the effort to talk with you.
How long is acceptable silent treatment?
Ideally no more than 1 hour, hopefully less. Say “I will be back in *** (time) to continue the discussion” even if you can only manage to come back to agree to close it down for the time being, or take the matter to counselling.
How damaging is the silent treatment in a 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.
Can silent treatment lead to divorce?
“And most of the research that we cited mentioned it as a pervasive and/or common struggle for married partners.” Schrodt’s study shows that demand-withdrawal, including the silent treatment, can lead to relationship dissatisfaction and even be a factor in divorce.
What do you do when your husband won’t talk to you?
Communicate with him If your husband doesn’t talk to you for one reason or another, you should speak to him instead. Be gentle and calm with your tone. Start on a positive note by telling him that you love your marriage and care about him. Then, calmly ask what the problem is without making it his fault.
Is ignoring a form of emotional abuse?
Silent treatment abuse is a form of emotional abuse in which a person refuses to communicate with you in order to control or influence your behaviors. Taking time to cool down after an argument is healthy, but shutting off communication for a long time, especially in order to control another person, is a form of abuse.
What to do when your husband refuses to talk to you?
Harrison says that the best thing to do when your loved one won’t communicate (and may be giving you the death stare) is to not escalate things. “Don’t take it personally. Be calm and patient. Do not respond in anger, don’t be patronizing or condescending, and don’t beg your partner to respond,” she advises.
What is the psychology behind the silent treatment?
Some people who believe they have high self-control might use the silent treatment as a way of “taking the high road” or what they see as not succumbing to the level of communication happening with the other person. Others see it as a rational reaction to a problem or conversation, rather than an emotional one.
Why silent treatment is toxic?
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.
What does it mean when a man gives you the silent treatment?
The silent treatment (also known as withholding) is used to punish and regain control of a person. It may feel good to ignore your partner when you feel slighted but, it keeps you from finding real solutions to the problems that are bugging you the most.
Is silent treatment manipulation?
The silent treatment is widely regarded as a form of emotional manipulation and even psychological abuse. It is the act of ceasing to initiate or respond to communication with someone else or refusing to acknowledge them altogether.
Is silence a form of emotional abuse?
Punishment: If a person uses silence to punish someone or to exert control or power over them, this is a form of emotional abuse.
