Do you have a friend or loved one who goes through periods of not speaking to you? Maybe they’ll suddenly cut off communication for no reason, or maybe they’ll start ignoring your texts and calls altogether. If so, you’re experiencing the narcissist’s silent treatment. This phenomenon can be incredibly confusing and frustrating, but it’s important to understand why the narcissist does it and how to deal with it. In this blog post, we will explore the silent treatment phenomenon in detail and provide some tips for dealing with it.
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What Is Narcissistic Silent Treatment?
The narcissistic silent treatment is when a narcissist completely ignores you as a form of punishment. This also means that the narcissist will not communicate with you in any way, including through text, email, phone calls, or even body language. The silent treatment can last for days, weeks, months, or even years.
Also, this treatment may give the narcissist a “supply” of attention. The silent treatment is a way to control and manipulate the victim.
Many times people may make a mistake and end up on the receiving end of silent treatment from their narcissist partner. If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, here are some things to keep in mind.
Signs of Narcissistic Silent Treatment
There are many signs of narcissistic silent treatment. The most common sign is the sudden lack of communication. The narcissist will suddenly stop taking your calls, replying to your texts, or answering your emails. They may even block you on social media. Other signs include:
-They are making excuses for not being available
-The narcissist is unusually busy
-They may act distant or cold
-The narcissist gives you the silent treatment when you try to talk about something they don’t want to discuss
-They are trying to control the conversation by changing the subject or walking away
-The narcissist refuses to make eye contact
If you’re wondering why the narcissist is giving you the silent treatment, it’s because they’re trying to control and manipulate you. The silent treatment is their way of punishing you for challenging them or not complying with their demands. It’s also a way of exerting power over you and making you feel powerless.
Reasons For Narcissistic Silent Treatment
There are many reasons why a narcissist would give you the silent treatment. Some of these are:
– they feel threatened or challenged by you
– they are feeling insecure and need to reassert their control over the situation
– Narcissists are punishing you for something that you have done
– they want to create a sense of anxiety or insecurity in you
– they want to test your limits
– Narcissists enjoy seeing you suffer
Impacts of Narcissistic Silent Treatment
There may be many negative impacts if you are on the receiving end of a narcissist’s silent treatment. These may include:
Feeling Worthless
Feeling worthless is one sign that can result from silent treatment. If you’re not getting any positive reinforcement or acknowledgment from someone you care about, it can make you feel as if you don’t matter to them. There are also other underlying causes that may make you feel worthless. For example, if you grew up with a narcissistic parent, you may have been told directly or indirectly that you were never good enough. So, when you’re not getting any attention from the narcissist in your life, it can trigger those old feelings.
Feeling Anxious
There may be a feeling of anxiety that comes along with being on the receiving end of the silent treatment. The constant not knowing what is going on or why the narcissist is upset can be frustrating and cause you to feel out of control. If you’re used to getting a lot of attention from the narcissist, it can also be scary when they suddenly withdraw all communication.
Losing Your Sense of Self
When you’re constantly being put down or told what to do by someone, it can be easy to start losing your sense of self. If the narcissist in your life is always making decisions for you and never takes your opinion into consideration, it can make you feel like you don’t have any control over your life. This can be a very dangerous situation to be in and it’s important to get out of it as soon as possible.
Feeling Isolated
The silent treatment can also make you feel isolated from the narcissist. If you’re used to talking to them every day and suddenly they’re not speaking to you, it can be lonely. This is especially true if the narcissist is someone you live with or are in a relationship with. It’s important to remember that you’re not actually alone though and there are people who care about you and will support you through this difficult time.
Dealing With Narcissistic Silent Treatment
Dealing with narcissistic silent treatment can be difficult. Some of these are:
Know What You Want
Narcissist silent treatment is used as a way to control and manipulate you. It is important to know what you want in the relationship. This will help you to stay focused on your goals and not be drawn into their games. There are also times when it is best to walk away from the situation.
Don’t Take It Personally
It is important to remember that the silent treatment has nothing to do with you. It is about them and their need to control the situation. This can be difficult, but try not to take it personally. Maybe there are any other people in your life that you can talk to about what is going on.
Set Boundaries
It is also important to set boundaries with the narcissist. This will help you to protect yourself from their games and manipulation. Remember, you don’t have to put up with this behavior. You have a right to say no and walk away from the situation.
Don’t Enable Them
It is important not to enable the narcissist’s behavior. This means that you should not try to please them or make excuses for their behavior. Instead, stand up for yourself and set boundaries. This will help them to see that their behavior is not acceptable and that they need to change if they want to stay in the relationship.
Build Up Your Support System
One of the best ways to deal with narcissistic silent treatment is to build up your own support system of friends and family who can help you through this difficult time. These people can offer you a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen to, and a hand to help you through this tough time. There can be many people in your life that can offer you support, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Practice Avoidance
Another way to deal with narcissistic silent treatment is avoidance. This means that you avoid them as much as possible. This can be difficult, but it is often the best thing to do. If you must see them, try to keep the interactions short and sweet. Avoid getting into any arguments or discussions with them.
Talk To Therapist
If you are struggling to deal with the narcissistic silent treatment, it may be helpful to talk to a therapist. They can help you understand what you are going through and offer guidance on how to deal with this difficult situation. Oftentimes, just talking about what is going on can help to make it more manageable. Hoeve, there are also times when medication may be necessary to help you deal with the stress of this situation. You can contact us as we have some therapists who can help you deal with these problems.
Avoid Engaging With Them
It is best to avoid engaging with the narcissist when they are giving you the silent treatment. This will only give them the attention that they crave and make the situation worse. It may also be helpful to talk to a therapist about this situation so that you can learn how to better deal with it.
Focus On Yourself
Finally, it is important to focus on yourself during this time. Narcissists thrive on making others feel bad about themselves. If you can focus on taking care of yourself, it will take away their power. Make sure to eat healthy, exercise, and get plenty of rest. These things will help you to feel better and be stronger when dealing with the narcissist’s silent treatment.
Conclusion
The silent treatment is a form of emotional abuse that can be difficult to deal with. If you are in a relationship with a narcissist, it is important to know what you want, set boundaries, and build up your own support system. You should also avoid engaging with them when they are giving you the silent treatment and focus on taking care of yourself. If you are struggling to deal with the situation, talk to a therapist for help. Furthermore remember, you don’t have to put up with this type of treatment. You have the power to walk away from it.
I hope this article was helpful in understanding the silent treatment and how to deal with it. If you are struggling in your relationship, please reach out for help. We are here to support you.
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