Have you ever had a fight with a family member, friend or boyfriend and then the person didn't talk to you for hours, days or even weeks? Know this is called silent treatment and it is a form of abuse present in different types of relationships. At first glance, it may seem harmless, but this psychological violence tactic can have serious consequences.
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Silent treatment – What is it about?
The silent treatment is basically a form of punishment, which consists of ignoring someone for a period of time. Thus, it is a passive-aggressive tactic of manipulation that expresses contempt, with the aim of control. Many of us already use this treatment, even unconsciously.
Because it is a subtle form of manipulation, the person experiencing this type of emotional abuse may have difficulty recognizing the problem. Especially since something like this is usually expected to happen only in romantic relationships, but the silent treatment can occur in any relationship.
Consequences of the silent treatment
As with all forms of psychological abuse, the silent treatment has very unpleasant consequences for those who receive it. For this reason, it is important to seek professional help to deal with this situation. Check below what are the most common effects of this type of abuse.
- behavioral changes
Being constantly ignored can make the person behave in different ways than usual, for example, always questioning the yourself and those around you and doubting your convictions and abilities in situations where you usually have trust.
- anxiety attacks
When a person receives the silent treatment, it is common to wonder why this is happening and, many times, there is intense withdrawal due to the lack of contact with the other. All of this can cause anxiety attacks, especially in those who are already anxious.
- end of relationships
Many people respond to the silent treatment by trying to understand what happened and wanting to fix the problem, but in some situations, distancing only serves to worsen the relationship and, consequently, bring it to an end definitive.
- How to deal with the silent treatment?
Don't isolate yourself, seek support from people you trust. In addition, it is important to seek professional help from a psychologist if you notice any of the effects mentioned above, such as anxiety attacks and behavioral changes.
