The Silent Treatment: How Narcissists Use It as a Weapon in Divorce and Co-Parenting

Narcissistic Spouses Co-Parenting Divorce

Mar 19, 2025 | Content

The silent treatment. It’s a common tactic that a narcissist can deploy as a weapon against their spouse and children. Going through a divorce is complicated and emotionally taxing enough without dealing with such manipulative games and unrelenting power moves. We’ll discuss how narcissists use the silent treatment in a divorce and when co-parenting so you can understand — and defend against — their tactics.

Understanding the Narcissistic Silent Treatment

Narcissists frequently weaponize the silent treatment as a divorce tactic. It’s a form of emotional abuse designed to make you feel helpless and desperate for resolution. The narcissist uses it to block communication with you and your legal team, allowing them to gain control and manipulate the terms of your divorce. Such emotional detachment is a clear sign of the narcissist’s lack of empathy, and it can have a psychological effect on you while you are vulnerable.

Effects of the Silent Treatment

When you are the victim of a narcissist’s silent treatment, you may feel a myriad of emotions, from fear to a sense of worthlessness. Such feelings can lead to depression and a lack of self-esteem, making it harder to navigate your divorce alone. As open and honest communication is essential when co-parenting, the silent treatment is a narcissist’s attempt to disrupt the proceedings and foster a toxic environment. As long as they remain silent, you may find it challenging to work toward a fair divorce settlement.

Co-Parenting Tactics of Narcissists During a Divorce

If you end up co-parenting with a narcissist, keep your focus solely on their behavior. Your goal should be to minimize the hurt your ex’s actions cause your children. Set firm boundaries, stick to them, and keep a detailed record of your ex’s negative actions, including using the silent treatment to upset your family. Whenever you see your co-parent, keep things brief and be polite, but don’t chat. When you communicate, do so in writing, and never argue or attempt to defend your actions.

Overcoming a Narcissist’s Silent Treatment

As Georgia laws do not favor one parent over the other, even if that person is a narcissist, you should try to overcome this behavior. Recognizing the silent treatment as an abusive tactic is the first step. Acknowledge the emotional pain this behavior causes and realize that the narcissist’s actions are not your fault or a reflection of your self-worth. We recommend maintaining an open and assertive demeanor because narcissists thrive on creating distress. Do not engage your ex. Calmly resist their attempts to control the situation so you can move on.

Contact Our Team for Help With Divorcing a Narcissist

When preparing to divorce a narcissist, ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of your legal rights. Don’t let your former spouse use the silent treatment to get their way in a Georgia family court. Contact our intake specialists at Atlanta Divorce Law Group now for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team is skilled at handling all types of family law matters, including those involving a narcissist.

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