We’ve all done it. At one time or another, you’ve emotionally withdrawn from someone who set off some sort of emotional trigger in you.
The Silent Treatment is a protection mechanism that kicks in when you feel hurt, unsafe, or triggered in some way. When someone does or says something that betrays your values, morals, or beliefs, you may withdraw and put on your “emotional armor”. Some information may be so hard to accept or understand that you just want to slip back into your shell so that you can process it and figure out what to do next.
(after you read this article, be sure to tune into the Love and Abuse podcast for more on the silent treatment and other behaviors that are difficult to deal with in your relationships)