What is stonewalling and how does it affect relationships? This is what psychology says.

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This dynamic affects the couple's trust. Photo: iStock

Stonewalling is an avoidance tactic used by some people who seek to eliminate any possibility of dialogue or communication with their partner because they feel unwilling to engage in conflict situations or have difficult conversations.

While this behavior is not characterized by intervention through shouting and insults, it manages to create an invisible barrier in emotional relationships , which leads to inevitable confrontations and harmful dynamics.

Silence can be painful for some people. Photo: iStock

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Although it may seem like a harmless practice, psychotherapist Kathryn Kypillas explains that adopting this attitude, also known as stonewalling, can be detrimental to couples' interactions.

According to the expert, frequent use of stonewalling can be a sign that the relationship won't last long, as the ability to effectively overcome conflict is essential to any relationship.

In this sense, some people begin to ignore disagreements and the exchange of opinions, which weakens trust and makes it difficult to find strategies or possible solutions to different problems.

Kypillas also points out that silence, rolling your eyes, or walking away when your partner tries to engage in conversation avoids confrontations, but creates persistent avoidance.

People who stonewall do so unconsciously. Photo: iStock

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It is important to be clear about what was acquired during the union.

The psychotherapist mentions that although the technique can be painful for those who experience it, it is not used to cause any harm, so it can often occur unconsciously.

In light of this, the expert clarifies that stonewalling is a maladaptive defense reaction developed in the early stages of life , becoming the only known strategy for certain couples.

Relationships can easily be fractured with this technique. Photo: iStock

Furthermore, it is often a response to emotional stress or overload, which sometimes causes a sense of shame in the stonewaller's behavior, which can lead to further isolation.

One solution to breaking the silence in the midst of conflict can be to recognize the pattern and act accordingly. That is, those involved must be willing to speak up to prevent the creation of an invisible wall.

What is stonewalling and how does it affect relationships? This is what psychology says.

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