Being passive-aggressive is being dysfunctional<\/strong> but in a whole other style. It\u2019s not so much about being loud, violent, or even arrogant. It\u2019s a subtle sort of poison that seeps in under the radar. You have to be quite intelligent to notice the passive-aggressive traits in a relationship.<\/p>\n In order to understand the passive-aggressive relationship<\/a>, you must know the indicators<\/strong>. While some people may only exhibit one or two of the passive-aggressive traits, some people are \u201cposter children<\/em>\u201d for the passive-aggressive mindset. Here\u2019s what you will notice with this personality type<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In a passive-aggressive relationship, the avoidance of conflict<\/strong> is normal and routine to the\u00a0one acting in this manner. Instead of discussing problems and looking for a mutual solution, people with passive-aggressive traits tend to stay away from any type of confrontation.<\/p>\n It can be that they are in denial about their unhealthy actions<\/strong> which cause problems, or they are unwilling to give something up. Either way, they will dip, dodge and run from any serious conversation where relationship matters<\/a> need to be worked out.<\/p>\n At the forefront of the passive-aggressive relationship, you will find manipulative behavior<\/strong>. This type of behavior is used primarily to get what a person wants.<\/p>\n For the person with passive-aggressive\u00a0traits, these actions work great most of the time, that is, until someone comes along that has dealt with manipulative behavior before.<\/p>\n When a spouse recognizes this behavior, they may call it out. That\u2019s when the passive-aggressive person will try a deeper form of manipulation<\/a><\/strong>, even threatening to leave or do something else they think will affect their partner in a negative manner. Passive-aggressive relationships of this nature can be hard to tolerate.<\/p>\n In a\u00a0passive-aggressive relationship, you will find that one person is an instigator<\/strong>. This means that one partner, or both, willingly starts fights or arguments.<\/p>\n No matter how trivial the issue<\/a> may be, the instigator will find a reason why this should be blown out of proportion, and the blame will fall on the peaceful one.<\/p>\n And of course, this will happen in a rather quiet fashion, pushing your buttons<\/strong> and pulling your strings<\/strong> until you snap. When your anger shows, the instigator wins.<\/p>\n This is probably the most surprising of the passive-aggressive traits<\/strong> of a relationship. You probably never thought your significant other would gossip about you, resort to back-stabbing, or set you up for failure.<\/p>\n They will do this and more. The act of sabotage<\/a> helps the aggressor stay free from any responsibility<\/strong> when something goes wrong with you or the relationship.<\/p>\n They are quietly planning and deceiving when you aren\u2019t looking, hoping that their plans will keep you firmly at blame for all that goes wrong in the relationship.<\/p>\n How this works is interesting. In a passive-aggressive relationship, you will notice one or both persons taking their time when doing something they really don\u2019t want to do.<\/p>\n This is irritating to the one who really needs these things completed. In truth, this procrastination is done to cause the other partner to lower their expectations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When expectations of someone is low, they will have to perform less frequently<\/strong>, and even at a lower level of performance. This includes chores, basic spousal duties, and even when providing emotional needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n People with passive-aggressive traits are experts on showing anger in a quiet way<\/strong>. Although this may seem like an impossible task, it\u2019s quite the contrary. The ability to exhibit resentment without raising your voice or making angry faces is quite a deed, but when used correctly, it sends a powerful message.<\/p>\n In this manner, the passive-aggressive partner can pull things into their favor with fear<\/strong>. After all, nothing is quite as unnerving as knowing someone is angry<\/a>, but seeing them smile and be kind.<\/p>\n You will know you\u2019re in a passive-aggressive relationship when you see this strange characteristic.<\/p>\n Another trait of the passive-aggressive person is ordinary bad behavior<\/a><\/strong>. They will do things that they know make you angry or upset, and they do this to gain leverage.<\/p>\n Usually, this type of behavior comes from an internal issue \u2013 it\u2019s something that has not been addressed, and that makes the passive-aggressive person feel hostile.<\/p>\n Instead of exploring these hostile feelings, they rather do negative<\/strong> things in retaliation<\/strong> in an attempt to get their point across.<\/p>\n If you find yourself in this sort of relationship, more than likely, you will be hurt and confused. There is one option, and that is to get out of the relationship altogether.<\/p>\n Most of us, however, will want to try and make it work. If so, there are a few tactics<\/strong> you can utilize.<\/p>\n If you are dealing with a passive-aggressive partner, the only way to understand how they work is to get through the walls they have built. Whether from bitterness or fear, some passive-aggressive people build walls to protect their real feelings.<\/p>\n If you can find a way through<\/strong>, you might be able to address the truth<\/strong> about their actions. As with anything else, this may or may not work in totality.<\/p>\n If you are dealing with a partner that tends to instigate arguments<\/a>, then you can choose to refuse<\/strong>\u2026refuse to take the bait to fight. At first, when the instigator sees that you will not argue back, they will become angry.<\/p>\n If you can weather the storm of their anger, you will show them that you will not be manipulated<\/strong>. Over time, they could stop using this tactic and be real with you. It\u2019s always a possibility if you\u2019re willing to hang in there for the long haul.<\/p>\n Most of the time, passive-aggressive people are harmless, but not always. None-the-less, do not let them scare you into submission. If you truly feel threatened, just leave for a while to let them cool down.<\/p>\n Pay close attention<\/a> to their temperament and after a while, you can pick up on indicators<\/strong> that let you know whether you are safe or whether you should avoid them.<\/p>\n When you learn these things, you will be able to show your fearlessness more often. This shows them that although you care, you will not be pushed around.<\/p>\n As I stated above, if they are avoiding things<\/a>, they will be adamant about this. So, this means you have to be careful<\/strong> if you choose to confront them.<\/p>\n Yes, issues need to be resolved one way or the other, but a passive-aggressive person will be explosive if cornered, so be careful. If you take your time, dropping bits of wisdom like crumbs, you will see a much better result and a calmer partner.<\/p>\n While sometimes you have to dissolve unhealthy unions<\/a>, there are times when these types of relationships can be healed. There are tools and support<\/strong> which can also help you get through these rough times.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t lose hope if you are trying to find a solution. Give things time and see what happens. Just remember, love<\/a> yourself and learn the difference between when you should keep trying and when it\u2019s time to end the chapter of your life. I think you will know.<\/p>\n References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Passive-aggressive traits can be damaging to a relationship. It\u2019s important to figure out if this behavior is present in your life. Being passive-aggressive is being dysfunctional but in a whole other style. It\u2019s not so much about being loud, violent, or even arrogant. It\u2019s a subtle sort of poison that seeps in under the radar. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":37545,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[58,46],"tags":[395,314,6,144],"yoast_head":"\nWhat passive-aggressive traits look like<\/h3>\n
1. Conflict avoidance<\/h4>\n
2. Manipulation<\/h4>\n
3. Instigators<\/h4>\n
4. Sabotage<\/h4>\n
5. Procrastination<\/h4>\n
6. Quiet resentment and anger<\/h4>\n
7. Purposeful negative behavior<\/h4>\n
How to navigate a passive-aggressive relationship<\/h3>\n
Breakthrough the walls<\/h4>\n
Refuse to take the bait<\/h4>\n
Don\u2019t let them scare you<\/h4>\n
Careful confrontation<\/h4>\n
Passive-aggressive relationships can be healed<\/h3>\n
\n