Is Stonewalling Abuse? Seeing the Damage and Learning to Stop

Shutting down emotionally or giving someone the silent treatment, also called stonewalling, is a damaging and unhealthy way to communicate in a relationship. If stonewalling is something you’ve done, understanding the damage it does to your partner and relationship should motivate you to stop. Identifying why you might stonewall can help you see how to change. Learning to engage in positive, respectful communication takes some work, but the improved relationship is truly worth the effort.

[@frederickwee]

I like the detail where you are literally infront of a Stone wall. 😊

[@kareenodum1734]

❤❤❤

[@LadiesOfThePleiades]

Is it stonewalling when you do so to protect yourself from name-calling, hyper-monitoring, triangulation, and physical intimidation and violence? Stone-walling is my reaction to abuse which isn’t withholding my love. It’s showing them that I have boundaries and will not be treated that way. I know how to love and if it doesn’t feel like love, I dip.

[@ananiasfoundation]

Remaining silent and walking away from mistreatment is not stonewalling - it's responding appropriately to a boundary violation. Hopefully you are communicating what your boundary is, what your response will be if it is violated, and you set conditions to be met for you to re-engage in the relationship if you want it to continue.