Imagine you're in the middle of a heated conversation with your partner. You're expressing your frustrations, hoping for a response, a sign that they understand or care about what you're saying. But instead, they go quiet. Their eyes glaze over, arms crossed, as they stare past you like you're not even there.
No matter how hard you try to reach them, it's like talking to a wall. The room fills with tension as your words fall flat, leaving you feeling unheard, dismissed, and completely alone. This isn't the first time, and you know it won't be the last.
This scenario, where one partner emotionally shuts down, is all too familiar for many couples and is known as stonewalling. Though often unintentional, this silent response can devastate a relationship, slowly eroding trust and connection.
Stonewalling occurs when one partner emotionally withdraws from an argument or conversation, refusing to engage or respond. It’s not just silence — it’s a complete shutdown of communication. Whether they are staring blankly, avoiding eye contact, or even physically leaving the room, the person stonewalling essentially becomes unreachable. The partner on the receiving end often feels ignored, dismissed, and powerless to continue the conversation.
While stonewalling might seem like a way to avoid conflict, it’s often a defense mechanism. For some, it stems from past trauma or the fear of escalating a situation they can’t control. Others use it as a means to protect........