The Narcissist’s Weapon Of Choice: Uncovering The Brutality Of Narcissist Silent Treatment

The narcissist silent treatment can be deafening when it agonizes you emotionally. Learn why they manipulate and play with your emotions.

Feeling included is crucial to the human experience. Humans must feel connected to each other to be happy, even introverts who enjoy a large amount of independence.

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the need to belong and feel accepted falls under the basic needs of food, water, and safety. In fact, this need can be so strong, it can override the needs for food and safety.

Psychologists consider the silent treatment a form of abuse. 

It’s a popular form of mental torture used by Narcissists, whereby they cut their victims off by not talking to them for extended periods of time.

Sometimes days or weeks, which keeps the victim in a constant state of fight-or-flight, during which they feel isolated and rejected, as well as physically sick. 

the narcissist silent treatment is a from of control and abuse

The body’s physical reactions to this mental anguish are real. Headaches, stomachaches, and a general punched-in the-gut feeling.

Related: 8 Mental Abuse Tactics To Watch Out For

The Narcissist Silent Treatment is Done With Malice

When the Narcissist ignores, shuns, and ostracizes you, it’s more hostile and aggressive than if they’d verbally attacked you. Because this type of abuse is harder to specify, it can be harder to heal from. 

When someone is ostracized it affects the part of their brain called the anterior cingulate cortex. Silent treatments trigger what is called “Social pain” in this part of the brain, which also detects actual physical pain.

The depth of pain from the silent treatment depends upon the intensity of the Narcissist’s ignoring.

The pain detected by the brain consequently makes the victim feel lonely and rejected. It lowers their self-esteem and the victim thinks his/her life is unworthy.

It causes great harm to the sentiments of the victim. This condition may even cause critical conditions and permanent damage to the victim’s psyche.

Narcissists use the silent treatment as an aggressive measure of control and punishment for something his or her partner did; a sadistic form of “time-out”, ostracizing the victim as motivation for them to behave. 

It is the ultimate form of devaluation, causing its target to feel voiceless, alone, dismissed, negated as a person; invisible. 

narcissist silent treatment

Related: 6 Ways Narcissists Use Silence To Destroy Your Soul

When a narcissist gives you the silent treatment, here are the detrimental effects:

  • Emotional: Since it is a form of social rejection; it provokes a mix of negative emotions including, frustration, intense anger, and eventually, resignation and despair.
  • Psychological: Low self-esteem, a sense of loss and not belonging, increased stress, and loss of control.
  • Behavioral: The constant fear of receiving the silent treatment casts a shadow of uncertainty in your life, you begin to second-guess yourself: Am I doing the right thing? Am I saying the right words? You try hard to avoid it, which changes you onto a person that is no longer YOU.
  • Physical: Different levels of emotional stress often lead to physical symptoms and illnesses, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, cognitive decline, weight loss or gain, blood clots, and even certain types of cancer.

Examples of the Silent Treatment Abuse:

  • You point out that something they did was unacceptable (i.e., cheating, lying) and the Narcissist leaves and stays gone for a week. Then, comes back to your door as though nothing ever happened.
  • The two of you exchange text messages regarding an important issue. The Narc texts “Bye” and you don’t hear from them again for five days. Or, they say they’ll come over then never show up, nor explain their absence afterward.
  • You sit down beside the Narcissist to talk about something that’s bothering you and they proceed to read the newspaper.
  • You ask the Narc a question, and they carry on as if they didn’t hear you, even if you repeat the question a second or third time.
  • The two of you get into an argument. The Narc packs their suitcase and stays gone for a month with no attempt to contact you and ignores any texts you may send them.

If your partner has used this form of emotional abuse to get you to comply with their demands, you should consider using the opportunity to initiate No Contact. 

Do not reward this passive-aggressive abuse tactic, as it will lead to them doing it even more since they derive a sense of satisfaction (if not “guilty” pleasure) at seeing the negative effect they can have on you.

Related: Why Violence Is Not Always Physical But Occurs In Other Forms Too

Specifically, don’t send pleading text messages or lengthy emails asking them to respond to you or explain how much they’re hurting you.

From their perspective, it proves to them that they are highly important, even more, important than you are to yourself.

Implementing NC during the silent treatment would put you back into a place of power because when they prance back onto the scene believing you’ll fall to their feet, they’ll encounter nothing but the sound of crickets…

Copyright © 2014 Kim Saeed and Let Me Reach

If you’d like to learn more about Narcissistic manipulation tactics and healing from narcissistic abuse, visit Letmereach.com, where you’ll find advice, articles, and holistic healing methods that will help you heal trauma, pain, and soul loss caused by narcissistic and pathological abuse.

Want to go No Contact but need support and guidance? Check out Kim’s book, How to Do No Contact Like a Boss!


The Deafening Brutality of the Narcissist’s Silent Treatment
Narcissists Silent Treatment Abuse Pin
narcissist silent treatment

Published On:

Last updated on:

Kim Saeed

Kim Saeed is an internationally respected self-help author and educator specializing in recovery and rebuilding after toxic relationships. She is the founder of Let Me Reach, a life transformation site that teaches people to flourish after narcissistic abuse. She is the author of two Kindle bestsellers, How to Do No Contact Like a Boss! and 10 Essential Survivor Secrets to Liberate Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse. She is also writing an upcoming book, The Way of the Warrior, for Balboa Press, a division of Hay House. ⁣⁣In addition to her own site, Kim also blogs for Psych Central. Her writing has also been featured on Selfgrowth.com, Thought Catalog, The Mind’s Journal, MOGUL, and EverythingEHR. She has been a guest expert on several radio shows including Mental Health News Radio, The Overwhelmed Brain, The Inner Revolution, Write of Your Life, and Codependency No More. ⁣⁣In 2016, Kim founded The New Life Academy, which is an online school dedicated to helping survivors of narcissistic abuse to restore and redesign their lives. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and has a multidisciplinary background in teaching, organizational development, HR training, and research. Her blog, Let Me Reach with Kim Saeed, has reached 195 countries. Her work has been shared in non-profit women’s shelters and has been lauded by therapists and mental health experts. You can find Kim at letmereach.com

Disclaimer: The informational content on The Minds Journal have been created and reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. They are intended solely for educational and self-awareness purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress or have concerns about your mental health, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider.

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The narcissist silent treatment can be deafening when it agonizes you emotionally. Learn why they manipulate and play with your emotions.

Feeling included is crucial to the human experience. Humans must feel connected to each other to be happy, even introverts who enjoy a large amount of independence.

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the need to belong and feel accepted falls under the basic needs of food, water, and safety. In fact, this need can be so strong, it can override the needs for food and safety.

Psychologists consider the silent treatment a form of abuse. 

It’s a popular form of mental torture used by Narcissists, whereby they cut their victims off by not talking to them for extended periods of time.

Sometimes days or weeks, which keeps the victim in a constant state of fight-or-flight, during which they feel isolated and rejected, as well as physically sick. 

the narcissist silent treatment is a from of control and abuse

The body’s physical reactions to this mental anguish are real. Headaches, stomachaches, and a general punched-in the-gut feeling.

Related: 8 Mental Abuse Tactics To Watch Out For

The Narcissist Silent Treatment is Done With Malice

When the Narcissist ignores, shuns, and ostracizes you, it’s more hostile and aggressive than if they’d verbally attacked you. Because this type of abuse is harder to specify, it can be harder to heal from. 

When someone is ostracized it affects the part of their brain called the anterior cingulate cortex. Silent treatments trigger what is called “Social pain” in this part of the brain, which also detects actual physical pain.

The depth of pain from the silent treatment depends upon the intensity of the Narcissist’s ignoring.

The pain detected by the brain consequently makes the victim feel lonely and rejected. It lowers their self-esteem and the victim thinks his/her life is unworthy.

It causes great harm to the sentiments of the victim. This condition may even cause critical conditions and permanent damage to the victim’s psyche.

Narcissists use the silent treatment as an aggressive measure of control and punishment for something his or her partner did; a sadistic form of “time-out”, ostracizing the victim as motivation for them to behave. 

It is the ultimate form of devaluation, causing its target to feel voiceless, alone, dismissed, negated as a person; invisible. 

narcissist silent treatment

Related: 6 Ways Narcissists Use Silence To Destroy Your Soul

When a narcissist gives you the silent treatment, here are the detrimental effects:

  • Emotional: Since it is a form of social rejection; it provokes a mix of negative emotions including, frustration, intense anger, and eventually, resignation and despair.
  • Psychological: Low self-esteem, a sense of loss and not belonging, increased stress, and loss of control.
  • Behavioral: The constant fear of receiving the silent treatment casts a shadow of uncertainty in your life, you begin to second-guess yourself: Am I doing the right thing? Am I saying the right words? You try hard to avoid it, which changes you onto a person that is no longer YOU.
  • Physical: Different levels of emotional stress often lead to physical symptoms and illnesses, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, cognitive decline, weight loss or gain, blood clots, and even certain types of cancer.

Examples of the Silent Treatment Abuse:

  • You point out that something they did was unacceptable (i.e., cheating, lying) and the Narcissist leaves and stays gone for a week. Then, comes back to your door as though nothing ever happened.
  • The two of you exchange text messages regarding an important issue. The Narc texts “Bye” and you don’t hear from them again for five days. Or, they say they’ll come over then never show up, nor explain their absence afterward.
  • You sit down beside the Narcissist to talk about something that’s bothering you and they proceed to read the newspaper.
  • You ask the Narc a question, and they carry on as if they didn’t hear you, even if you repeat the question a second or third time.
  • The two of you get into an argument. The Narc packs their suitcase and stays gone for a month with no attempt to contact you and ignores any texts you may send them.

If your partner has used this form of emotional abuse to get you to comply with their demands, you should consider using the opportunity to initiate No Contact. 

Do not reward this passive-aggressive abuse tactic, as it will lead to them doing it even more since they derive a sense of satisfaction (if not “guilty” pleasure) at seeing the negative effect they can have on you.

Related: Why Violence Is Not Always Physical But Occurs In Other Forms Too

Specifically, don’t send pleading text messages or lengthy emails asking them to respond to you or explain how much they’re hurting you.

From their perspective, it proves to them that they are highly important, even more, important than you are to yourself.

Implementing NC during the silent treatment would put you back into a place of power because when they prance back onto the scene believing you’ll fall to their feet, they’ll encounter nothing but the sound of crickets…

Copyright © 2014 Kim Saeed and Let Me Reach

If you’d like to learn more about Narcissistic manipulation tactics and healing from narcissistic abuse, visit Letmereach.com, where you’ll find advice, articles, and holistic healing methods that will help you heal trauma, pain, and soul loss caused by narcissistic and pathological abuse.

Want to go No Contact but need support and guidance? Check out Kim’s book, How to Do No Contact Like a Boss!


The Deafening Brutality of the Narcissist’s Silent Treatment
Narcissists Silent Treatment Abuse Pin
narcissist silent treatment

Published On:

Last updated on:

Kim Saeed

Kim Saeed is an internationally respected self-help author and educator specializing in recovery and rebuilding after toxic relationships. She is the founder of Let Me Reach, a life transformation site that teaches people to flourish after narcissistic abuse. She is the author of two Kindle bestsellers, How to Do No Contact Like a Boss! and 10 Essential Survivor Secrets to Liberate Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse. She is also writing an upcoming book, The Way of the Warrior, for Balboa Press, a division of Hay House. ⁣⁣In addition to her own site, Kim also blogs for Psych Central. Her writing has also been featured on Selfgrowth.com, Thought Catalog, The Mind’s Journal, MOGUL, and EverythingEHR. She has been a guest expert on several radio shows including Mental Health News Radio, The Overwhelmed Brain, The Inner Revolution, Write of Your Life, and Codependency No More. ⁣⁣In 2016, Kim founded The New Life Academy, which is an online school dedicated to helping survivors of narcissistic abuse to restore and redesign their lives. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and has a multidisciplinary background in teaching, organizational development, HR training, and research. Her blog, Let Me Reach with Kim Saeed, has reached 195 countries. Her work has been shared in non-profit women’s shelters and has been lauded by therapists and mental health experts. You can find Kim at letmereach.com

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