Getting silent treatment can damage your self esteem and cause cracks in your relationship. Remaining silent will also prolong the real problem that causes the silent treatment to surface. Good communication is the basis of all successful relationships and hence you need to devise ways by which you can deal with silent treatment.
Check what caused the silent treatment
When you met with silent treatment, either your partner is completely pissed off that he/she is trying to take some time off you and get past the irritation before he/she can talk to you or trying to make you repent for your ways. Assess as to what has caused the irritation. If it is something very grave, there is no use avoiding each other and going on with the silent treatment. This will only make matters worse and with every passing day you will become more and more distant, making it difficult to confront each other. If you feel that you are the cause behind your spouseâs silent treatment, do not delay a confrontation and seek the reason and make amends. Doing this will prevent a lot of problems that can crop up with too much of a silence and avoidance. Ensure that the cause behind the silent treatment is completely removed before you move on.
Confront your partner
Sometimes, your partner might be unwilling to reveal the reason behind the silent treatment. Many people try the silent treatment as a possible way of punishing their spouses for something they have done to them. Whist the motive behind silent treatment is almost always attained, with the victim suffering in silence and falling into a depressive mood, it does not rectify the issue. If you are being given the silent treatment by your spouse and you have no idea as to what is the reason behind it, be ready for a confrontation with your partner. Ask your partner as to what is the reason behind such a treatment and that remaining silent can only make matters worse. Make him understand that whatever the reason, itâs only by talking that they can find a solution. Direct confrontation will help both of you discuss things and clear the bad air between you.
Remain busy and occupied
Silent treatment is almost always meant to make the victim sad and upset and when you understand this, you will know how to deal with it. If you have tried your best to approach your spouse and if he/she keeps rejecting your efforts to talk, make sure that you do not remain sad or listless. This could be exactly what your partner is aiming at, and unknowingly you would be falling into the trap. Try to remain happy and normal and keep yourself busy instead of sitting and brooding. Even if you are sad and disoriented, do not show it outwardly. Talk to your friends, go out shopping, listen to music, watch movies and create a semblance of happiness around you. This will leave your partnerâs plans off track. Once your partner finds that the plan is not working, he/she will stop the silent treatment and be willing to talk about the actual problem.
Ignore your partner
Silent treatment can sometimes be dealt with the same treatment from your part as well. When your partner gives you the silent treatment, ignore him and move on with your chores. Do not try to inquire about the reason and carry on as if nothing has happened. Your partner could have half expected you to confront him/her so that he/she can make you more upset without willing to respond. Paying your partner in the same coin will again throw the plans into the air and he/she will be willing to consider talking and making amends. If your partner has started the silent treatment, wait until he/she comes to you for clearing the air so that you still have the edge over your partner.
Do not become intimate
Some people try to solve the problem behind the silent treatment by getting intimate. This can actually work against you as the problem is not solved when you get intimate with each other. Once you are out of physical intimacy, you will feel worse and go back to the silent mode again. Therefore, if your spouse gives you the silent treatment, do not give him/her a chance to get intimate with you. Sleep in another room until the problem is solved. Most silent treatments get to a point when the silence become so deafening and unbearable that you both are jolted to face reality and talk things out.
