Did you know that between 20 and 25 percent of married men cheat? And between 10 and 15 percent of married women cheat?
Do you know what the consequences of infidelity are?
Infidelity of any kind undermines the trust between couples. If the faith is broken, you can also expect the other pillars of your relationship to crumble.
Have you felt like your significant other has been distancing themselves from you? Do you suspect that they might be having an extramarital affair?
Don’t put off confronting them just yet.
Stonewalling, or ignoring your presence, can be a sign of deeper communication issues within your relationship. Read on, and we’ll show you how to recognize the warning signs of stonewalling so you can confront your spouse before it’s too late.
Persistent Silence
Persistent silence can be one of the most alarming warning signs of stonewall communication. Stonewalling can be an insidious form of emotional abuse.
It occurs when one partner refuses to communicate effectively. It happens when one partner doesn’t respond to the other partner in any meaningful manner.
When a partner is stonewalling, they may try to shut their partner out. They become unresponsive.
They evade their partner’s questions. They ignore attempts to communicate or express their dislike or distaste for their partner through their silence.
Constantly guessing and questioning why a partner is refusing communication can wear away at the relationship. It will leave the non-stonewalling partner feeling helpless and frustrated.
Criticizing Their Partners
Stonewalling relationships can be a common issue in romantic relationships. One of the primary warning signs of this behavior is when one partner constantly criticizes the other.
When one person criticizes their partner, the other person often feels unheard, unimportant, and misunderstood. It can make the person feel like they have no choice but to shut down.
They distance themselves from the relationship emotionally. If a person constantly criticizes their partner, this points to an underlying issue within the relationship that you must address.
If the communication remains one-sided, it can result in an unhealthy dynamic. It can divide the two people even further apart.
Refusing to Compromise
Signs of stonewalling can be insidious yet easy to spot in a relationship. Refusing to compromise is a critical warning sign. It can manifest itself in a variety of ways.
Perhaps one partner won’t listen to their significant other’s ideas. They won’t consider how their partner might feel when making decisions. Arguments may become one-sided.
One partner may take a stubborn stance. One partner will refuse to alter their opinion no matter how reasonable the opposing argument may be. As a result, communication may become robotic and emotionless.
It can quickly erode the relationship. It makes it impossible for both parties to reach a satisfactory compromise.
In any relationship, compromise is essential. It is necessary both for growth and for maintaining a healthy relationship. If refusing to compromise appears to be a trend, it may be time to speak to a professional.
Ignoring or Not Listening to the Other Person
Not listening could show that the person does not have regard for the other person’s thoughts or opinions. It shows the other person is not interested in hearing them.
Similarly, if you find yourself pretending to listen but zoning out could indicate that you are starting to stop communicating and stonewalling each other.
To ensure a healthy relationship, both partners should stay open to listening to each other and take the time to understand each opinion. If one or both people are not listening, stonewalling may begin, harming the relationship.
Becoming Overly Defensive
Becoming overly defensive is another indicator that a partner may be stonewalling. It could be a sign of insecurity or fear. If a partner feels attacked or judged, they may immediately become defensive.
They raise their voice or deflect when a discussion of a problem arises. They might respond to their partner’s queries with resistance. They deny any wrongdoing or refuse to take responsibility.
Even when disagreements arise, engaging with a partner is essential for the relationship to thrive. If overly defensive behavior becomes habitual, discussing it with a therapist or reading self-help literature is best. It is to gain understanding and to help prevent the pattern from continuing.
Distant Body Language
Foreign body language is one of the warning signs of stonewalling in a relationship. Stonewalling can manifest in body language. It includes crossing arms or looking away when the other partner speaks. The partner may also avoid physical contact.
Resolve issues in your relationship and read about marriage communication exercises to give you insight into how to connect better. Some good communication exercises include listening actively and responding thoughtfully, avoiding criticism and attacks, and expressing shared feelings and needs.
If you notice stonewalling in your relationship, take action and use one of these exercises to address the issue. Taking a proactive approach to keep your relationship healthy and strong is essential.
Avoiding Eye Contact
Stonewalling in a relationship is serious and can have far-reaching consequences. One of the warning signs of stonewalling is the lack of eye contact. If your partner regularly refuses to look you in the eye, it may be a sign that they are unwilling to engage in meaningful conversations.
Additionally, if your partner is often silent when you speak, body language is absent, or turns away verbally and non-verbally, they may be stonewalling. Stonewalling can cause one partner to feel that they’re being ignored and devalued. It is essential to try and connect openly and honestly.
It can help build trust and understanding so that you can address the situation and the relationship can be salvaged.
Partner Frequently Changing the Subject
When a partner consistently changes the subject, it may indicate they are avoiding the conversation. It can be a sign that they need to prepare to engage in the necessary dialogue to progress to a resolution.
It can be emotionally hurtful and emotionally damaging to both parties. Lack of communication leads to a more significant disconnect in the relationship.
If you notice your partner consistently changing the subject to avoid a discussion, take steps to address the issue. Discussing the situation with your partner is essential to ensure that the necessary conversations are taking place.
Makes Excuses or Walks Away
Walking away can be a sign that the relationship is on unsteady ground. It is also a sign that one partner is no longer as willing to participate in discussions or even address the more significant issues. It can lead to a feeling of alienation and frustration. If this pattern persists, communication will break down.
It will leave both parties feeling disconnected from each other. Take note when these warning signs arise.
Take steps to address the underlying issues. Talk openly and honestly about how you feel. It can help to resolve conflicts and restore trust and intimacy in the relationship.
Your Partner Is Non-committal to Conflict Resolution
This behavior can cause deep rifts in even the most stable of relationships. It creates a sense of despair as the partner feels unable to connect or express themselves.
Additionally, this can lead to feelings of powerlessness and disempowerment. It shuts down a partner’s ability to connect and understand one another.
Ignoring the Person’s Attempt to Communicate
Stonewalling occurs when one partner shuts down in response to the other. It happened when you offered no response to engage in conversation.
One of the most common warning signs of stonewalling in a relationship is when one partner ignores the other’s attempts to communicate. It can be anything from calls, texts, and emails wholly ignored.
If these warning signs exist in your relationship, it’s essential to address the issue with your partner before further damage is done.
One Partner Withdraws Emotionally
When relationships become strained, one partner withdraws emotionally. One partner refuses to engage in conversations, even if they appear physically present.
It can lead to feelings of isolation and neglect. It happens because communicating with the other partner has become difficult or nonexistent.
Relational stonewalling signals a lack of trust and insecurity. It can indicate that an even bigger issue is at play.
Identifying the Signs of Stonewalling
We can recognize potentially destructive behavior by familiarizing ourselves with the warning signs of stonewalling in our relationships. We can take the proper steps to ensure our relationships are healthy and make us happy.
If you think your relationship is veering toward stonewalling, contact a trained professional or seek help from a relationship counselor.
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