Psychologist's Explanation: What Passive Aggression Really Is

Passive aggression is an attempt to express negative emotions without speaking openly about them. This is a behavior pattern in which a person shows anger indirectly, such as by slamming the door loudly, through veiled insults, or deliberate neglect.

How do passive aggressive people behave

The passive-aggressive person expresses their anger in hidden, socially acceptable ways. This makes passive aggression uniquely insidious and destructive. Passive-aggressive behavior can be anything that avoids direct confrontation but still expresses negative emotions.

These are humiliating or discriminatory jokes, acts of disdain, compliments with veiled devaluation, unsolicited advice, ignoring requests and breaking promises, disguised accusations, and even aggressive care that becomes violent.

Why is passive aggression harmful

Passive aggression is the result of an unsatisfied demand for healthy aggression. It leads to a variety of consequences, destroying the psyche and physical health. Tension can lead to a breakdown, neurosis, unconscious, but quite real aggression towards oneself or others.

Aggression helps to support yourself in a difficult situation: “I can handle it!” can become a strong emotional conviction that will allow you to lean on yourself and cope with a difficult situation. Aggression allows you to understand where the boundaries are and protect them. It is very important to be able to say “You can’t do this with me!” If something is unpleasant for you.

• Related news:
• anger
• emotions
• mental health
• facts
• 23 August 2023

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