Is Silent Treatment Unhealthy For Couples?

A lot of couple stop talking to each other after a fight. They do this so that the fight does not escalate into something even more serious. But is the silent treatment the only way to resolves fights? While it works in some cases, the silent treatment can be unhealthy for some couples. Communication in a relationship is vital. And when you go silent, you are literally closing all channels of communication with your partner.

Couples fight all the time. But going into a silent cocoon may not be the best way to deal with your problems. Here are some reasons why silent treatment can be unhealthy for your relationship.

For How Long?

Silence in a relationship might help to resolve problems but the question is, for how long does it work? When you are having a heated discussion and break it off with silence for the time being, then you are doing the right thing. But if silence spills across to the next day and for several days, then it is not a healthy sign.

Who Breaks The Ice?

When both partners are not talking to each other, the silence in the relationship is maintained. For the silence to end, one person has to break the ice. But who talks first to whom becomes an ego issue for the couple. Each partner thinks that if he or she is the first one to break the ice, then they will be putting themselves down.

Urgent Need To Talk

When you are busy keeping up the silence, your partner might have an urgency to talk about something. If you stop communication in the relationship, it might actually do the two of you a lot harm. Sometimes, you need to allow your partner to speak and express even if you are having a fight. It is important to let it out.

Silence Becomes Second Nature

The silent treatment becomes unhealthy when it becomes your second nature. If every fight that a couple has is followed by periods of silence, then relationship will start suffering. Silence will no longer help you to solve your problems. In fact, layers of uncomfortable silence will add to your relationship problems.

These are some reasons why the silent treatment can be unhealthy. Do you also have silent spells and having fights with your partner? How long do these silent periods last?