Toxic Relationship Pattern, 2

The “silent treatment” in the ‘demand-withdraw’ pattern is not only difficult to escape from but does horrible damage to the relationship. Individuals who got caught in this relational trap reported the lowest level of satisfaction. They also showed poor communication skills, lower intimacy (especially if it was a romantic relationship), higher levels of anxiety and aggression. Some even reported accompanying physical symptoms including bowel problems, urinary trouble, and erectile dysfunction in males. Sometimes it was the female in the relationship/friendship who asked for something, complained, or was critical and the male initiated the “silent treatment” in response. Sometimes it was the other way around. No matter: it was equally damaging to the relationship to say nothing of each individual’s own level of physical and mental health. More tomorrow.