You have probably experienced the confusion and insecurity that comes with being ignored by your partner. You are left with a slew of unanswered questions:
- What did you do wrong?
- Was it something you said?
- What should you do?
You feel truly helpless, and yet, if you do nothing the silent treatment will develop into a full-blown cold war, and you and your partner will drift further and further.
The Silent Treatment
According to Dr. Jane Greer, Ph.D., silent treatment is a passive-aggressive form of communication. People resort to this form of communication for several reasons:
- When they are not confrontational and they, therefore, find it easier to shut down instead of addressing the issue at hand.
- The person may also be overwhelmed by their anger, and they, therefore, do not feel comfortable expressing it. They may be afraid that if they open a conversation, they might start yelling and the discussion will serve no purpose.
Unfortunately, the silent treatment does not benefit relationships in any way. Indeed, psychology has revealed that the silent treatment is destructive to your relationship. The silent treatment is a form of hurt that can be painful for the partner on the receiving end. As a matter of fact, the silent treatment has been proven to be a form of emotional abuse.
