Understanding the Meaning of Silent Treatment Along with Its Characteristics and Ways to Stop it in a Relationship

Kapanlagi.com - Have you ever been ignored by a friend or partner suddenly? If so, you may be experiencing silent treatment. If you don't know the meaning of silent treatment, you may be confused and uncomfortable.

Without knowing the meaning of silent treatment, you will also have difficulty finding out why someone suddenly stops interacting with you. Clearly, this will make you feel annoyed. However, this situation can be reversed.

You can also ignore conversations and the presence of others if there are problems. Usually, this situation occurs after a quarrel in a relationship. Now, for those of you who want to know more about the meaning of silent treatment, just read on for more information.

1. What is the Meaning of Silent Treatment?

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The meaning of silent treatment can be understood as one of the attitudes commonly taken to deal with someone by ignoring them completely, not talking to them, and not acknowledging their presence. Usually, this attitude arises when someone in a relationship is feeling angry, frustrated, stressed, and tired of dealing with a problem.

Being silent for a while when feeling uncomfortable is a reasonable way to handle it. It is done to avoid the release of words that may be regretted later. Unfortunately, sometimes this silent treatment persists for too long. In fact, maintaining a good relationship always involves communicating all grievances felt by each other.

Therefore, it can be understood that the meaning of silent treatment is different from postponing a conversation. When you postpone a conversation with your partner, it can be understood that you may need time to calm down and will start the conversation when the anger has subsided. Meanwhile, silent treatment will refuse to have a conversation both now and later.

The lack of communication between partners can create suspicion. Even, it tends to be distrustful. Minimal conversation also causes the compromise to face the problems that arise to disappear.

2. Characteristics of Silent Treatment

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In practice in everyday life, many people use the silent treatment to create emotional distance and control someone. Therefore, the meaning of the silent treatment can also be considered as emotional abuse. This method is also used to acknowledge a mistake or avoid responsibility. Partners who implement the silent treatment usually exhibit the following behaviors.

- They are cold for several days, even for weeks.

- They do not want to talk, make eye contact, answer phone calls, or respond to messages.

- The silent treatment is done when something does not meet their desires.

- They use this method to punish their partner when they are upset.

- They will not respond to anything their partner says.

- They tend to pressure their partner to apologize to them.

- They ignore all forms of attention given by their partner.

People who use the silent treatment by exhibiting behaviors like those above usually have the power to control someone. Meanwhile, partners who receive this treatment will feel confused. Eventually, they will choose to apologize and not resolve the previous issue.

If this continues to happen, the relationship you create will be very toxic. Partners who are often ignored will feel unloved, worthless, anxious, and even depressed. This kind of relationship will make the couple unsatisfied and continue to have poor communication.

3. Effective Ways to Stop the Habit of Silent Treatment

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As explained in the meaning of silent treatment above, this behavior is a bad habit that needs to be stopped. For some people who are used to it, stopping it is not an easy thing to do. Several ways that you can learn are needed in the following explanation.

1. Improve communication

Improving good communication must be discussed with your partner. When there is something that doesn't fit, try to discuss it with each other. That way, you will find a middle ground and can talk heart to heart again.

Smooth communication is one of the keys to success in a relationship. Your relationship will also avoid the habit of silent treatment when experiencing problems.

2. Be open with each other's feelings

Being open with each other's feelings can help your partner understand your thoughts. Explain precisely what makes you angry, disappointed, and sad. But remember, do not use excessive emotions.

3. Go to counseling

As you know, the habit of silent treatment can become emotional violence. If that happens, it is better for you to go to a psychologist. Attending counseling can help you find a solution to deal with it.

Well, those are the explanations about the meaning of silent treatment along with its characteristics and ways to stop it.

(kpl/gen/ans)