For me, being goofy and talk about the process of making love is essential but solely when we are agency with our function. At first I enjoyed it but later it received me pondering is he actually just enjoying the current time and me? Hi there,I am not knowledgeable but have lived awhile and seen abuse. I would ask myself what is it that keeps making me go back? Is it actually that she is the most superb lady or is it that you just can’t stand being rejected and need to fix it to show to your self you are worthy? Or somewhere in that vein.Some things appear value determining however the way to do that would imply therapeutic the issues inside of you that permit this therapy.
For example, say something like, “I feel damage once we don’t talk. ” This encourages openness and provides the opposite particular person a chance to precise their emotions. The aim is to foster communication rather than further entrench both parties in silence. Another purpose folks use silent therapy is that it gives them management of the scenario and power over you. They might even attempt to turn it round so that they are the victim or deny that there’s a drawback, thus making your feelings irrelevant.
By understanding the dynamics at play and equipping your self with sensible tools, you’ll reclaim your sense of self-worth and learn to set boundaries confidently. Ready to take back management of your interactions and foster healthier relationships? Silent therapy in marriage is a form of emotional abuse that sometimes includes one associate withdrawing communication as a type of punishment or manipulation. This conduct, whereas seemingly benign on the surface, can have profound psychological impacts on the recipient, leading to feelings of confusion, isolation, and despair. But what does psychology say about this destructive communication pattern? Let’s dive into these questions in the sections below.
Victims of the silent therapy typically really feel isolated, anxious, and depressed. It is a passive-aggressive type of communication in which the abuser deliberately withholds communication from the victim so as to acquire energy and management. Catalina Behavioral Health specializes in the customized, complete help that’s essential to treat complicated psychological diseases like borderline persona dysfunction. It additionally lets you analyze your feelings about your self and the individuals around you, eventually overcoming triggers. Last, silent therapy could additionally be attributable to worry of abandonment. They could push somebody they love away as a type of testing them or to see if the relationship is powerful.
The prolonged silence inflicted by a narcissist can have extreme psychological effects on you. It undermines your vanity, triggers nervousness, and creates a way of unworthiness. Recognizing these consequences is step one towards reclaiming your psychological well-being. For example, when you come at your partner with criticism and accusations, at first he’ll attempt to respond and defend himself. But if you’re not letting up and you retain raising the depth, ultimately he’s going to close down emotionally.
Such behavior affects the instant relationship and might strain the couple’s interactions with their social circle. In some circumstances, silence lasts for days rather than hours. For example, after an argument about household responsibilities, one companion may refuse to talk, even sharing the identical space, using silence as punishment or control. While short-term silence can sometimes be beneficial, permitting feelings to settle, it have to be appropriately communicated.
Empathy can help you method the scenario with a stage head and diffuse potential conflicts. Engaging in self-care practices is essential when facing the silent therapy from a narcissist. Prioritize actions that promote your well-being, such as train, mindfulness, hobbies, or journaling. Taking care of your mental and emotional health equips you with the resilience wanted to deal with the results of prolonged silent remedy. Silent remedy by narcissists can set off emotions of confusion, frustration, and inadequacy. By recognizing your emotional responses to their habits, you’ll be able to start to detach your self emotionally and preserve a way of self-worth.
Vanasco coped via distraction, by studying the history of punitive silence, poring over research on what would possibly motivate somebody to have interaction in this sort of habits. Her mother was widowed, had left her home and friends and was living in a basement during the pandemic. Vanasco mentioned she began to understand how her mother’s isolation and vulnerability were factoring into her punitive conduct. Wright mentioned the silent therapy isn’t an effective technique of resolving disputes, and it may possibly often reflect someone’s incapability to communicate pain. When someone’s existence and feelings are dismissed and disrespected, they feel devalued, unloved, unworthy, and insignificant.
Anyway we had a terrible struggle on July fifth this yr and I did the unspeakable, out of anger I found myself slapping her. To today I regret it and I carry that shame on a daily basis and I can’t even forgive myself for what I did, it pains and I nonetheless marvel how? I’ve by no means hit any girl in my life, I’ve never seen violence at residence trigger even my dad wonders the place I obtained that character from.
It could be really useful to get a third-party perspective and get assist with healthy communication. A therapist will be able to provide steering and assist in navigating the scenario and hopefully help foster a more healthy relationship. If you think you’re being emotionally abused, know that you’re not alone.
It often leaves the partner questioning what they did wrong, or if their companion truly cares about them. This uncertainty is often extra damaging than the unique conflict that resulted in the silent treatment. As we identified partially 1, giving your spouse the chilly shoulder or ghosting them doesn’t solve the issue. It creates a a lot bigger issue that needs to be resolved down the road.
Left unchecked, the silent treatment becomes a pattern of habits and emotional abuse that’s used to manipulate over time. There are some things you are able to do to deal with the silent therapy in a relationship. We can all agree that there are undoubtedly things you shouldn’t say to your partner throughout a heated argument. But have you ever ever given your companion the cold shoulder instead? The silent remedy might seem like a handy method to choose out of a conversation that’s bothering you however it’s additionally super unhealthy.
By fostering an setting of open communication and constructing belief, it’s possible to navigate the difficulties that arise from BPD and maintain a robust and supportive connection. The silent remedy is a form of emotional manipulation the place one individual intentionally ignores or refuses to communicate with another. It’s often used to create emotional distance, control, or punishment in relationships, leading to confusion and hurt feelings. By implementing coping methods and setting clear boundaries, you’ll have the ability to reclaim your energy in these situations. Remember that you simply deserve healthy communication and supportive relationships.
Individuals who don’t intend to cause hurt typically resort to the follow when they’re overwhelmed, unable to cope with conflict or struggle to speak painful emotions. Relationships, platonic or in any other case, have to be a safe, comforting and therapeutic area, explains Sonia Maria, an Abu Dhabi primarily based relationship coach and therapist. “When you refuse to interact along with your associate in a meaningful method, you might be denying the opportunity to be heard. This deliberate emotional withdrawal sends a robust message that the opposite particular person’s feelings, needs, and perspectives do not matter.
They can even impact the recipient’s physical well being, leading to points like insomnia, complications, and even elevated threat of coronary heart disease. Another response which may get the particular person to cease is to tell him that his habits seems immature, controlling, desperate, manipulative, ridiculous, and so forth. It’s greatest to do this should you really don’t feel affected by his habits and may even snicker it off. If your companion has a habit of providing you with the silent treatment, Dr. Gabb stresses the significance of telling them how their conduct makes you are feeling. It’s understandable when you don’t want to discuss to your partner when you are hurt or angry after a battle.
In a toxic relationship where one celebration meets any try at battle resolution with an escalation of aggression – and does so on a persistent foundation – silence is completely acceptable. Eventually, there must come a point where you say enough is enough. We’ve already mentioned how extended or repeated use of the silent remedy is tantamount to abuse, and you don’t deserve it. The silent treatment can’t go on endlessly or rear its head each time you may have even the smallest disagreement. Remember, an enormous a half of the silent treatment is the power it offers the individual who wields it. That’s why the solution approach above ought to be coupled with a clear message that you just settle for their emotions for what they’re, but that your feelings are just as legitimate.
There’s no level hiding away from the emotions that you’re both feeling after a bust-up. But, know that by offering this olive department, you may be prone to shorten the time they really feel prepared and capable of keep the silent remedy, and this in itself is a win of types. Reacting to the silent remedy requires sensitivity, openness, understanding, and a great dose of humility. The silent remedy, when used again and again, ultimately breaks the spirit of the opposite particular person until they not have the strength to fight it.
Try to not take it personally and give consideration to caring for yourself within the meantime. It is a harmful way of coping with battle, and if left unaddressed, can lead to long-term issues within the relationship. It is important to acknowledge the indicators of silent therapy and search assist to address the issue effectively. It can make you’re feeling worthless, small, and unloveable. It can put you in a state of psychological torment, the place you’ll do anything to cease the silent treatment.
Here are the 4 most typical examples of silent remedy or ignorance and intentional distancing that you could recognize. In essence, the objective is to govern and management the other person. Silence is a method to full one thing that in psychology within the subject of toxic connections is recognized as id erosion. When facing silent treatment at office, amplify your skilled presence. Book the convention room next to their desk for digital calls.
” It also made me surprise if I had, unwittingly, carried out one thing so mistaken that he’d cut me out of his life without an evidence. For a softer strategy, create a code word that brings to thoughts the time when you two worked things out or that makes you each snort. Anytime your associate makes use of the silent remedy, say that word or phrase.
Perhaps, as a toddler, they had been ignored or shunned once they misbehaved. Overcoming emotional manipulation and stonewalling in your relationship could be difficult, but with the best methods, it’s potential. Leaders ought to mannequin open dialogue by being approachable and admitting errors. This transparency creates a safe space for employees to specific their concepts and issues. Encourage diverse perspectives to build an inclusive setting. Demonstrating dedication to transparency and active listening strengthens trust.
For instance, you would possibly limit your own engagement till they’re prepared to have an trustworthy conversation. Coping strategies include staying calm, in search of assist, and practicing self-care to navigate difficult interactions successfully. Reach out to reliable friends, members of the family, or a therapist for help and guidance. Surround yourself with people who validate your feelings and provide a secure house for expression.
It’s essential to set boundariesBoundaries are an imaginary line that separates me from you. They separate your physical space, your More and limitations. Surround your self with individuals who love and help you.
If you are receiving silent remedy, keep in thoughts that this is a conduct of immature folks. Keep your routine, exercise, meditate and be round constructive individuals during this time. Sometimes silent therapy is utilized by two individuals who love one another, such as romantic partners, good pals, siblings, and so on. People suppose that if they use the silent treatment, the other individual will change their conduct or do what they need them to do. Ignoring another individual as a form of punishment solely destroys relationships. The silent treatment is a type of emotional abuse sometimes employed by folks with narcissistic tendencies.
Taking care of yourself helps maintain emotional steadiness amid silent remedy. Countering silent remedy with calmness prevents worsening silent abuse. Another reason your partner might employ silent treatment, albeit incorrectly, may be that you’ve but to determine out the method to talk accurately.
Going to your baby and pleading with him to speak provides him too much energy. It lets him know that his silent therapy is attending to you. Also, should you take the silent remedy personally, you may give in to your youngster so that they’ll be “nice” and discuss to you. You do not want your child to be taught that passive-aggressive conduct is an efficient or acceptable approach to get what he wants. Any approach that takes your thoughts off the state of affairs and helps you soothe the extraordinary emotions that may come up.
When someone uses silence to control you, you’ll typically really feel scared to talk about it instantly. Refusing to acknowledge that they weren’t talking to you, supplying you with the silent treatment once more, or telling you that it’s all of your fault are all indicators of a poisonous or abusive good friend. Other instances, my silence is merely a method for me to create the space I need to course of my feelings. But once more, the opposite particular person isn’t a mind reader, so neither cause is really a wholesome approach to take care of the situation. When wholesome communication habits aren’t modeled by our mother and father, talking up can feel like a chore. We both grow up with dad and mom that yell on the prime of their lunges or mother and father that refuse to handle disagreements at all.
The above steps will allow you to to handle the silent treatment with dignity. You’ll certainly know what it seems like when somebody offers you the silent remedy. They simply cease speaking to you – for hours, days or even weeks. The silent treatment, or purposefully ignoring or excluding somebody, is frequent in relationships and isn’t all the time purposefully hurtful. How an individual responds to the silent therapy is dependent upon whether or not their partner is being abusive. This article will focus on the silent therapy, why folks use it, and how individuals can reply to it.
Engaging with these communities can provide insights, coping methods, and a sense of belonging that can be comforting during tough instances. People using silent treatment as a form of abuse are often passive-aggressive in their conduct and keep away from direct communication or confrontation. To them, such trespassing is a better resolution and it doesn’t make them the bad man both.
Dealing with silent therapy from somebody can be troublesome. You may really feel like you are being ignored or that your emotions aren’t necessary. It is necessary to recollect that you may be not responsible for the opposite person’s behavior.
They may concern saying the mistaken factor or lack the confidence to specific their feelings effectively. People who struggle to articulate their feelings could choose silence over verbal expression, not out of malice however as a end result of uncertainty. For some, engaging in a troublesome dialog feels overwhelming, and silence is a safer different. It turns into emotional abuse when it’s weaponized to dehumanize or systematically diminish the recipient’s vanity. While the silent remedy might feel like a way to regain control, it typically ends in deepened emotional divides. The silent remedy operates as a non-verbal means of expressing dissatisfaction, damage, or anger.
It denies them the validation that’s so essential for sustaining emotional connection and trust,” explains Maria. It manipulates a person into feeling answerable for the scenario, even if they haven’t done anything mistaken. “When you refuse to communicate, you may be exerting control over the connection. This tactic reinforces an imbalance of power, leaving the opposite particular person feeling powerless and unsure of tips on how to resolve the situation,” adds Greene.
They might have bother expressing themselves, particularly when it comes to adverse feelings like anger and grief. They can also be afraid of the way you would possibly react knowing how they really really feel or think. If you know someone who displays these characteristics, and that person provides you the silent treatment regularly, know that you are not powerless in opposition to them. In this manner, she provides, you’re letting the opposite particular person know you just want time and house to process at your personal speed. “That, along with planning a time to come back again together to debate further, might help the relationship in the long run,” she notes. According to Blaylock-Solar, if you’re somebody who has a hard time in conflict and winds up shutting down, you possibly can have a script of kinds ready.
They determine to ignore you afterward knowing full nicely that this is ready to make you anxious and unhappy. This is a basic case of one companion using silence to inflict pain upon the other. In situations like these, the silent treatment is emotional abuse. When confronted with a narcissist’s silent remedy, it’s essential to detach emotionally.
It can also be hurtful to be on the receiving end of silent remedy or different BPD traits. The emotional turbulence that comes together with loving somebody who has BPD is often outwardly apparent. Without therapy, unstable relationships and unhealthy patterns continue, making it hard for either party to be really pleased.
Avoid inventing ways to get your associate to talk with you or acknowledge you. If you can safely accomplish that, walk away when your companion provides you the silent therapy and do one thing you take pleasure in. To resolve the problem, each companions need to take duty for his or her habits and attempt to empathize with their associate. If you have ever discovered your self in a state of affairs the place someone is supplying you with the silent treatment, it can be somewhat unnerving. They may refuse to speak to you or even acknowledge your presence. Staying silent during an abusive situation just isn’t an instance of the silent therapy.
The silent therapy can additionally be used as a type of punishment to try to get revenge or assert power over the opposite person. Overtime, the utilization of the silent remedy can become emotionally abusive, particularly when it’s used as a punishment. The silent therapy is when an individual refuses to speak to you as a outcome of they’re offended or upset.
Perhaps the opposite individual is going via a troublesome time, dealing with stress, or struggling with one thing private. The silent treatment can even contain punishing conduct. The particular person giving the silent remedy in a relationship may refuse to do issues for his or her companion, similar to cooking, cleansing, or working errands. Sarah noticed that John had began giving her the silent treatment whenever he was upset or angry. It was like he would disappear into a shell, and she would really feel as if she was talking to a wall.
Assertiveness may help you establish wholesome communication patterns and scale back the effectiveness of silent therapy. In this article, you’ll uncover sensible strategies to outsmart the narcissist’s silent remedy. By understanding the dynamics at play and equipping yourself with efficient instruments, you’ll have the ability to regain management and maintain your peace of thoughts. Let’s dive in and discover tips on how to navigate this complicated conduct with confidence. The silent remedy is the practice of withholding communication from a person throughout a conflict. Individuals with abusive tendencies typically use the silent therapy as a software to shame, punish or manipulate.
The lack of communication leaves the underlying issue unresolved, creating a cycle the place emotions proceed to build with out decision. This retreat into silence could be an instinctive way to keep away from saying something they may regret or to create a space where they’ll sort by way of their feelings privately. For some people, the silent therapy is much less about manipulation and more about an incapability to deal with emotional overwhelm.
On the opposite, it could possibly make issues worse, lead to emotional distance, and eventual breakup. Yes, the silent therapy can significantly harm relationships over time. When one companion persistently resorts to this conduct, it can create a rift characterised by frustration, insecurity, and emotional distance. The individual on the receiving finish might really feel undervalued and discouraged, believing their emotions aren’t taken into account.
For occasion, you would calmly specific that silent remedy is hurtful and that you prefer open communication to deal with issues. For example, Jane’s use of silent remedy could possibly be a symptom of her fear of confrontation or inability to express her feelings. In stark contrast to wholesome communication strategies like open dialogue and mutual understanding, the silent therapy leaves no room for discussion or resolution. The individual on the receiving finish often feels powerless and annoyed, unable to know or tackle the basis explanation for the battle.
Your children don’t need to recognize that they’ve done something mistaken and accept the implications. Instead, they reverse the state of affairs utilizing the silent treatment to attempt to appeal to consideration. Their aim is to vary your mind and carry the punishment you gave them. The term is type of self explanatory, and the primary objective of this conduct is to ignore another particular person.
This turns into a passive act of aggressio (passive-aggressive behavior). Both self safety and trauma response require emotional safety and trust. Creating an environment the place each companions feel safe is essential to breaking this unfavorable cycle. If you’ve ever been in an accident, you understand what it’s like in your brain to kick into protective gear.
Here’s how you can work in the course of a more open relationship going ahead. Now, if somebody is purposefully trying to hurt you thru the silent treatment and acting out of malice, they may just enjoy your adverse reaction. Don’t contact them, and don’t return the silent remedy on this state of affairs either, however don’t let the scenario get to you. If they do not wish to oppose, then you must confront them. Then, when you select to talk to them, don’t approach them aggressively. Instead, be utterly calm and ask them if they’ll talk.
If silence has turn out to be recurring, it’s time to intervene gently. In most marriages, the silent companion is not trying to harm you. She’s making an attempt to guard herself from emotional overload. Prioritize self-care activities that promote relaxation and well-being. Whether it’s taking a walk, working towards yoga, or indulging in a interest, self-care is essential for restoring emotional balance after dealing with the challenges of coping with a narcissist. The silent remedy can last anywhere from a few days to several months.
The silent remedy is an intentional act that reflects a communication breakdown. Whether it’s used to avoid battle or manipulate habits, it highlights the need for open and trustworthy communication. People often use the silent therapy when they’re emotionally overwhelmed or to keep away from battle, not to purposefully hurt someone.
However, when it’s used repeatedly or deliberately to regulate or harm someone, it can become emotionally abusive. You can’t ‘out silent’ your opponent and communication is key to any healthy relationship. Winning the silent remedy involves addressing the shortage of communication with empathy and effective communication methods somewhat than letting disagreements fester into resentment. The silent remedy doesn’t always relate to emotional abuse. Some folks lack effective communication abilities or need to retreat into themselves to work issues out. Reach out to a trusted pal, therapist, or help group to share your emotions and experiences.
By incorporating these ideas into your relationship, you probably can create a extra open and supportive dynamic that allows for sincere communication and development. One strategy that can be very helpful in dealing with the silent treatment is to have an “airing of grievances” on an everyday basis. This doesn’t mean dwelling on the things that frustrate you in your relationship, but rather giving each companions an opportunity to precise their emotions with out fear of repercussions.
I am the founding father of WomenH and I write about ladies’s well being, wellness, psychological health, and private progress. I created this platform to inspire ladies to deal with themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally to turn out to be their best selves. If the silent remedy happens once in a while when feelings run high, it might just be someone needing area. But if it’s a repeated sample used to punish, manipulate, or control you, then it’s time to attract a clear line.
If not, go to therapy on your own so you’ll have the ability to learn to handle their behavior in a means that is wholesome for you. There’s a difference between wanting to chill off after an argument and resorting to the silent remedy. Avoiding a problem rarely makes it go away, and that applies to relationships as properly. Research shows that whenever you avoid battle, you’re more likely to proceed the dispute because you didn’t enable space to debate and resolve the issue. But the silent therapy doesn’t assert those boundaries in a wholesome means. It doesn’t communicate precisely what the boundary was or what the opposite person did to cross it.
Communicate your expectations clearly and assertively. By setting boundaries, you ship a transparent message that manipulative ways like silent treatment are not tolerated. This type of therapy, if used persistently, can make you’re feeling confused, insecure, and unlovable.
Engage in activities that assist you to chill out and rejuvenate, corresponding to train, meditation, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Taking care of yourself is important when coping with challenging interactions. Practice assertive communication when engaging with a narcissist. Be direct, firm, and assured in expressing your ideas and emotions. Avoid aggressive or passive-aggressive communication types, as they may escalate tensions.
Here are 7 steps you can take to interrupt the adverse cycle of the silent therapy. Healthy relationships cope with these conflicts rapidly and lovingly. Now that we perceive the adverse influence it has on you personally, let’s take a look at how it effects your relationship.
If we actually value our relationships, we should be willing to have interaction, even when it’s uncomfortable, to maintain that essential emotional bridge. After exhausting all other choices, in case your state of affairs hasn’t modified, perhaps it’s time to say goodbye. Don’t let the emotional abuseEmotional Abuse is an attempt to regulate, in just the same method that physical abuse is More have an effect on your mental well being. Whether the connection is a professional one, romantic, with a sibling, or even a father or mother, tackle the scenario. Set healthy boundariesBoundaries are an imaginary line that separates me from you.
But, typically, resentment or anger can take root in one’s thoughts, and make them resort to the silent treatment. Reach out to trusted friends, members of the family, or a therapist for help. Talking to others can give you validation, perspective, and steering on how to handle the scenario effectively. Eventually, it takes a toll in your vanity and mental well being if you don’t tackle the behavior and set boundaries — or leave the connection altogether. During a peaceful interval after your partner has punished you with silence, give her or him some details about silent remedy abuse.
It is also not one thing you can simply “get over” or “just move on” from as a result of it stays with you. Understanding these dynamics doesn’t excuse the habits, but it might possibly help you respond with more perception and fewer reactivity. Remember that persistent silent treatment is a red flag in any relationship. Need help navigating tough conversations with a partner?
If you’re undecided whether your pal is ignoring you as a result of they’re hurt or as a end result of they’re trying to hurt you, think again via your final conversations with them. Consider whether you might have mentioned something insensitive or hurtful. If for this reason your pal isn’t talking to you, it can be helpful to talk through other ways for them to communicate. You may discover this text on having troublesome conversations helpful. A pal might cease speaking to you for several reasons, and solely a type of is manipulation, control, or abuse.
Unlike yes/no questions, open-ended questions invite more considerate responses and encourage deeper exploration of feelings and concerns. Understanding the opposite person’s perspective, even if they are silent, might help you respond empathetically and avoid escalating the state of affairs. When confronted with the silent therapy, step one should be self-reflection. Before reacting impulsively, take a moment to assess the battle. Even after one partner apologizes and makes an attempt to mend the connection, the silent therapy might proceed. This public display of silence can humiliate and isolate the ignored associate, especially when others notice the strain.
Try to validate the narcissist’s perspective and expertise. Ultimately, if not addressed, this persistent pattern can erode the foundation of belief and intimacy. Open communication is vital for sustaining healthy relationships, and neglecting this want can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and emotional ache. It’s crucial to handle the underlying points contributing to the silent treatment, fostering a culture of honesty and transparency as an alternative.
Instead of addressing the difficulty instantly, they select to withdraw communication entirely, leaving the opposite particular person uncertain of how to transfer ahead. While it could be tempting to retaliate with a comeback or to turn out to be defensive, responding to the silent remedy with grace and maturity is commonly one of the only ways to handle the situation. Words can harm however silence can generally communicate louder. The silent treatment includes one person refusing to acknowledge or communicate with another.
This is strictly what we teach in our 2-Day Marriage Intensive, and it’s typically the turning point for couples stuck in silence. Tools just like the Imago Dialogue create a container the place both companions feel heard and validated — with out reactivity, blame, or shutdown. This is because our brains interpret silence throughout conflict as danger.Your nervous system enters fight-or-flight, while hers often enters freeze-or-shutdown.
I even have been married 7 months to this 84 12 months old, I’m 82. Because he confirmed me a lot attention and mentioned we have been going to get pleasure from our life by traveling dancing all of the issues he knew I liked to do. We’ve been married for 7 months and he hasn’t taken me wherever but.
Silence is a covert punishment that goals to make a selected change with out someone saying or doing one thing. When we talk about toxic relationships, right here I usually imply a combination of an individual who is sort of empathetic and someone who has that empathy at a minimal or doesn’t have it at all. I won’t go into what kind of persona it’s or if some persona problems trigger it since it would not matter for our story. What is important is that someone can not take into account another person’s feelings and put themself in different’s sneakers. Don’t let workplace silent therapy define your profession trajectory. Download our workplace communication tracker template to start documenting patterns successfully.
While it’s essential to offer the opposite particular person area, it’s also essential to communicate your personal boundaries. Let them know how their behavior is making you’re feeling and what you count on from them by method of communication. Be clear and assertive, but in addition open to hearing their perspective. Passive-aggressive behavior is another frequent sign of silent therapy in a relationship.