Stonewalling is not a mental illness but it can be an indicator that someone is experiencing mental health issues. Stonewalling is a communication tactic where one person completely shuts down, refusing to engage in an open dialogue or provide any information.
It is usually used in a conflict to gain control or end the conversation. While it can be a sign of underlying mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, it is not a mental illness in and of itself.
Instead, it is a psychological defense mechanism typically used in situations of emotional distress. It can also be a result of feeling overwhelmed or frustrated in a situation, or of a lack of communication skills.
It is important to distinguish stonewalling from a true mental illness as it may indicate underlying mental health issues that need to be addressed in order to improve communication and relationships.
What type of person uses stonewalling?
Stonewalling is a form of communication in which one person refuses to engage in discussion or provide any sort of meaningful response. People who use stonewalling may not want to resolve the issue at hand, don’t want to hear what the other person is saying, or simply don’t know how to respond in a productive way.
Unsurprisingly, stonewalling is usually seen in relationships where communication isn’t a strong point. It usually involves a person who is avoidant, unempathetic and dispassionate. Stonewalling is most commonly seen in people who have difficulty communicating clearly, experience strong levels of distress when confronted, or have a difficult time confronting their own flaws.
It can contribute to unresolved conflicts and an inability to move on from an argument, ultimately causing strain and suspicion in a relationship.
What is a stonewaller personality?
A stonewaller is a personality type where the person avoids communication or conflict in a defensive way. This type of person often shuts down conversation with a very literal answer or by avoiding the topic altogether.
They will also often not express their emotions, staying distant and not fully engaging in the conversation. Another trait of a stonewaller is their tendency towards passivity, often not wanting to take responsibility or making decisions.
They may appear uninterested or apathetic in conversations and interactions with others. Stonewallers may also not be the best problem solvers and communicators, making it difficult to resolve any conflicts they are in.
It can be difficult to engage a stonewaller in meaningful or productive communication, as they are often unwilling to discuss the topic at hand, or to offer any opinions or suggestions.
What causes someone to stonewall?
Stonewalling is a form of communication or behavior that involves someone shutting down instead or responding to someone else. It can take many forms, such as refusing to talk, present a false facade, or provide a polite but vague response.
In many cases, stonewalling leads to conflict, as it can be seen as a rejection and lack of response from the person the other person is trying to communicate with.
Most commonly, stonewalling occurs when someone feels overwhelmed, either by a particular issue or person. For example, they may be feeling burdened by the amount of work they are expected to do, or they may feel that someone is making an unreasonable demand.
In these cases, it is natural for them to feel overwhelmed and/or frustrated and to respond with a form of stonewalling.
In other cases, stonewalling may result from poor communication. If the parties involved are not expressing what they need and want clearly, it can cause misunderstanding, which can lead to stonewalling.
For example, if someone is not being heard or feels ignored, they may stonewall as a result.
Stonewalling also may be a reaction to feeling like someone else is trying to take control of a situation, either due to their own confidence or power. This kind of response may give the person a sense of control and security, which may be why it is so tempting to do.
In any case, the best way to combat stonewalling is to be aware of the situation, be respectful and make sure to communicate openly and clearly. This will allow everyone involved to express their thoughts, feelings and needs without feeling overwhelmed, ignored or unheard.
How do you respond to a narcissist stonewalling?
When faced with a narcissist stonewalling, it is important to find a way to remain calm and maintain your composure. Stonewalling, in the context of a narcissistic encounter, occurs when the narcissistic individual intentionally ignores or refuses to communicate.
They will withdraw from the conversation, not make eye contact, and generally act as if the other person does not exist. As this tactic is deployed to make others feel small and powerless, it can be incredibly frustrating and hurtful.
In this situation, it is important to take a step back and practice some self-care. Acknowledge the narcissist’s behavior, validate their feelings, and try to remain objective. If that is not feasible due to the intense emotions involved, allow yourself time to cool off before addressing the situation.
Once you have composed yourself, focus on expressing your own feelings and needs in a respectful, non-confrontational manner. Make sure that you are using “I” statements instead of accusatory language.
Also, validate their right to their emotions and opinions, even if you may not agree with them. It is important to point out that everyone has the right to express their feelings, even if they may be unreasonable or inappropriate.
Finally, if the conversation continues to escalate, you might need to remove yourself from the situation or find someone to mediate. It is possible that the situation might never reach a resolution but it is important to remember that the narcissist’s behavior is a form of psychological manipulation and not your fault.
What is stonewalling a symptom of?
Stonewalling is an emotionally emotionally indifferent behavior used to avoid facing an issue or confrontation. It is a response or coping mechanism to intense situations and is often associated with anxiety or stress.
It is commonly used as a form of self-protection. Stonewalling is a symptom of many psychological issues such as avoidant personality disorder, depression, social anxiety, and other forms of mental illness.
Stonewalling is also a sign of Difficult Dialogue Dysfunction (DDD) – a term used to describe a pattern of communication in a relationship characterized by criticism, defensiveness, avoidance, and overgeneralization of conversations.
It can indicate an inability to deal with conflict in a healthy manner or an unwillingness to adhere to the give and take of a healthy relationship.
The most common stonewalling patterns are silence, minimization, distancing, intimidation, evasion and blame-shifting. These behaviors prevent productive communication and understanding between two people, likely leading to a breakdown in the relationship.
Stonewalling is a sign of disrespect, disregard, and a lack of trust in the other person, and can be damaging to a relationship in the long term.
Ultimately, it is important to identify the underlying cause of stonewalling, whether that be anxiety, depression, or DDD, and take steps to address the issues in a supportive environment. Working through the root cause of the stonewalling can help enable a healthier relationship in the future.
What is the psychology behind silent treatment?
The psychology behind the silent treatment is complex and multifaceted. The silent treatment is when someone purposefully ignores or avoids another person, not responding to their attempts at communication.
It is a form of passive-aggressive behavior, a method used to manipulate or to hurt another person’s feelings.
At its core, the silent treatment is a way to control another person by withdrawing communication, understanding, and support. By refusing to engage in conversation, the person giving the silent treatment is attempting to send a message that the other person’s feelings and desires are not respected.
This can have serious psychological impact on the person receiving the silent treatment, as it can lead to feelings of insecurity, inferiority, guilt, and self-doubt.
In certain cases, the silent treatment can also be used to punish the other person, as the person giving the silent treatment is attempting to make the other person feel as if their actions have been ignored and disregarded.
This can be damaging psychologically, as it can lead to low self-esteem and lack of confidence in future relationships.
The silent treatment is often a reflection of the person giving it and their deeper psychological issues. It can be a sign of a lack of empathy, a fear of rejection, or a deep-seated issue with controlling other people and their behavior.
The psychological implications of the silent treatment can be long-lasting, and should be taken seriously. Understanding the underlying motivations behind a person’s decision to give someone the silent treatment can be key to resolving the issue.
What is the difference between GREY rock and stonewalling?
GREY rock is a defensive tactic developed to help manage interpersonal conflicts by reducing the likelihood of a volatile response from another person. A grey rocker reassesses and minimizes the emotionality of their responses, reduces eye contact, and avoids engaging in conversation that could become heated or confrontational.
The goal is essentially to appear boring and uninteresting to the other person, thereby reducing the potential of an escalation in the conflict.
Stonewalling, on the other hand, is when an individual refuses to engage or respond to their partner’s statements or requests. They will often remain silent, or provide very brief and unhelpful responses.
Stonewalling can take away the other person’s feeling of being heard and understood, leading to frustration and further conflict. Stonewalling can also be described as a form of passive-aggressiveness and can be damaging to a relationship.
It can lead to feelings of contempt, disconnection, and even cause one person to become overly aggressive to get a response from the other.
In summary, the key difference between GREY rock and stonewalling is that GREY rock is a defensive tactic used to reduce the potential for escalation of conflict, while stonewalling is a form of communication that shuts down dialogue and hinders connection.
How do you deal with a stonewaller?
When dealing with a stonewaller, the best approach is to remain calm and composed, while also showing understanding of their difficult emotions regarding the situation. Rather than arguing or trying to force them to talk to you, it can be helpful to take a step back and allow them the space and time needed to process their feelings and be ready to talk.
When you do approach the stonewaller to start the conversation, be prepared to listen and validate their feelings. Avoiding accusatory language and showing empathy towards the other person is important.
Additionally, try to be as specific and concrete as possible with questions and statements in order for you to better understand the situation.
If the stonewaller has consistently been unresponsive to your attempts to have an open dialogue, it might be necessary to speak to someone else who can help mediate the conversation, such as a joint friend or a counselor.
Additionally, it can be helpful to create a set of ground rules in terms of communication and expectations so that there’s mutual understanding and respect.
Overall, it’s important to remain patient and respectful when dealing with a stonewaller. Show understanding and actively listen to their thoughts and opinions. Even if they don’t immediately communicate their feelings, staying consistent and persistent in attempting to create an open dialogue will provide the opportunity for the stonewaller to open up and have their voice heard.
What is the emotional effects of stonewalling?
The emotional effects of stonewalling can be far-reaching and profoundly damaging. When somebody is on the receiving end of stonewalling behavior, they may begin to feel a variety of negative emotions, including deep feelings of sadness, confusion, hurt, anger, and isolation.
These feelings can be debilitating and can cause a person to struggle with self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.
In addition to the emotional pain, the lack of communication can lead to a feeling of loneliness and lead to the person feeling unheard, uncared for, and even invisible in the relationship. These feelings can lead to the person feeling hopeless, defeated, and helpless – unable to get the other person to engage in meaningful dialogue.
In cases of prolonged stonewalling, these emotions may lead to depression and anxiety, which can have further long-term effects on a person’s mental and physical health. Studies have even found that people who receive stonewalling in their relationship are also at higher risk of developing other physical ailments such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
In the end, stonewalling can be a damaging form of communication that can take a severe toll on a person’s well-being and disrupt the overall wellbeing of the relationship.
