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Escalation of conflict
The silent treatment method will add even more injury to insult rather than helping you de-escalate a conflict. By deliberately not communicating, important matters will remain unsolved. The negative feelings will still be there, lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to be let out.
Lack of dialogue increases anxiety in partners and increases tension, giving way to misinterpretations and misunderstandings.
Instead of burying the hatchet of war completely, you’re only playing a cat-and-mouse game that will eventually cause even more frustration and conflict. Lack of open communication destroys any chance of getting to the bottom of things and solving the real problem in a constructive manner. Recognizing the adverse effects of silent treatment is an important step in avoiding such behavior and promoting open and healthy communication between partners.
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Increase tension and anxiety
A lack of dialogue and a silent environment is not healthy for either partner in a relationship. No communication can cause feelings of uncertainty, and generate even more unspoken feelings which in turn increase anxiety and stress.
One of the most common effects of the silent treatment is causing feelings of abandonment and insolation in one of the partners, amplifying tension and anxiety. The person with the growing anxiety will start overanalyzing and developing increasing feelings of frustration and unease. In time, it will impact their mental and emotional well-being, and might even take a toll on their health condition. After all, no one likes to live in an environment where they feel isolated and tension is felt through their every pore.
See also: 9 Most Common Causes People Get a Divorce
