Save Your Sanity: Help For Toxic Relationships

Has your partner every just stopped talking to you when things weren't going his or her way? Or, when you weren't doing exactly as s/he wanted?And, then, the next things: THE DREADED SILENT TREATMENT! The silent treatment is punishing, punitive, and often the way a person who wants power over you thinks they can control you. Sometimes, though, that other person--or, maybe, you--don't have the skills or confidence to manage conflict in any other way.Why do people use the silent treatment?They want to demonstrate power over youThey think you'll give in if they hold out long enoughThey want to punish you by withholding love or intimacy of any kindThey lack skills to communicate about difficult things...and they won't risk trying.They are afraid they'll lose, so they don't start the conversation.Any of those sound familiar?It's not uncommon for people to get scared, and then, get very defensive. That often even escalates into anger. Things can get very touchy!People will react in out-of-proportion ways when they