How To Communicate With Someone Who Shuts Down | Online Health Media
How to communicate with someone who shuts down? If this is something that is bothering you, then you have reached the right place.
There might be times when a person that you are talking to or holding close to has completely stopped responding and has started to shut down. That can happen after an argument or even after some stress in their day to day lives.
If you are someone who is finding it difficult to communicate with someone who has stonewalled you or has shut down emotionally, then this article might be of help to you. So keep reading this blog till the end to learn more about how to communicate with someone who has shut down…
Contents
What Is Stonewalling?
Stonewalling is the act of what it sounds like— creating a stone wall between two people— but just not physically. In the process of stonewalling, the listener withdraws from having any form of interaction. They shut down and close themselves in their cocoon.
Most of the time, it is because they feel overwhelmed with a lot of other emotions that are too difficult for them to handle. It is generally because of what they are going through emotionally and psychologically.
So, in short, to speak metaphorically, stonewalling is the process of building up a wall between them and their partner or others. So, if you are someone who is trying to communicate with a person who is stonewalling you or has shut down, you should keep reading to know what are the ways in which you can get through to them!
Read More: How To Destress At Any Time Of Day
What Are The Signs Of Stonewalling?
There are a number of ways in which your partner might be stonewalling. And most of the time, you might not even know that the troubles have already crept in. That is the reason why you should take a look at the signs that you should look for when you feel someone is shutting down.
Here are the signs of stonewalling:
- They are ignoring what you have to say.
- They get agitated when you try to have a conversation about what is bothering.
- They change the subject in order to avoid having to answer.
- They simply refuse to answer.
- They do not acknowledge or refuse to admit their behavior.
- They agree with whatever you have to say to avoid further conversation.
If these are the behaviors that your partner or someone you are close to is showing, then beware— the process of stonewalling has started!
Answering The Most Asked, “How To Communicate With Someone Who Shuts Down?”
We all know that communication is the key to having a healthy relationship with anyone in the world. It can be your friends, your family members, or even your partner. In order to ensure that there is nothing troubling a relationship, communication is essential. It makes sure that there are no misunderstandings and miscommunication in the relationship.
However, there can be times when people shut themselves down. That is when you are unable to communicate with them. They might get defensive, agitated when any communication is made, or just agree with what you have to say in order to stop the communication at that moment.
And hey, you are not the only one who is searching for ways to communicate with someone who has shut down. Here are some of the things that you need to do if you want to know how to communicate with someone who shuts down:
- Stay calm
- Organize your thoughts
- Take a break to manage your thoughts and emotions
- Be sympathetic
- Show them that you care
- Focus on the solutions
When To Seek Help?
No matter how kind and gentle you are, it can be a difficult process to get through to someone who is shutting down. And if you think that it is becoming impossible for you to help them move forward or help them break from their cocoon, know that it is time that you need support.
If you want to make sure that you are able to solve the issues in the relationship, it is essential to break the cycle of shutting down. Stonewalling can cause serious damage to the relationship. And that is the reason why you should consider talking to a counselor or a relationship counselor when someone you are with has shut down emotionally.
Read More: How To Choose An Ideal Therapist Who Can Help You Overcome Relationship Issues?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now that you have almost reached the end of this article, I hope that you have the answer to what you were looking for. Here are some of the questions that are frequently asked by readers who search for ways of communicating with someone who has shut down.
Ans: When it comes to relationships, stonewalling is a major red flag. This is because it does not leave any room for clearing out misunderstandings. And considering the fact that it is very crucial to have clear communication in a relationship, stonewalling can prevent you from solving the troubles in the relationship.
Ans: Stonewalling, in itself, is not a disorder. However, it can be the result of a lot of mental health disorders. Some of the most common reasons behind someone stonewalling you is because of their borderline personality disorder.
Ans: One of the most important reasons why people shut down most of the time is because of stress. They might feel that their feelings are not going to be respected, and that is why they tend to shut down.
Wrapping It Up!
Stonewalling is the act of shutting down completely, getting defensive, and showing contempt. This is when someone shuts down emotionally and is not in the mindset to have a conversation.
In case you want to know the answer to how to communicate with someone who shuts down, I hope that you found this blog to be of help. If there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to scroll down and write them in the comment box below.
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