Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The one product you should never travel without

The one product you should never travel without

How to pick the perfect Secret Santa gift

How to pick the perfect Secret Santa gift

Style tips to make a small room more spacious

Style tips to make a small room more spacious

How to get on top of your to-do list in 2020

How to get on top of your to-do list in 2020

{headline}

{headline}

4 things most people forget to check when they buy property

4 things most people forget to check when they buy property

3 colours you should always wear when asking for a pay rise

3 colours you should always wear when asking for a pay rise

How to pick the right internet connection for you

How to pick the right internet connection for you

{headline}

{headline}

5 new ways to save money on your power bill

5 new ways to save money on your power bill

6 things you should never buy second hand

6 things you should never buy second hand

How to tell if your wine has gone bad

How to tell if your wine has gone bad

Why being grumpy at work could actually make you more productive

Why being grumpy at work could actually make you more productive

How to work less without quitting your job

How to work less without quitting your job

How to identify a dodgy removalist

How to identify a dodgy removalist

This is the real reason you can’t stand that one co-worker

This is the real reason you can’t stand that one co-worker

  1. Home
  2. Better Life

How to deal with passive aggressive people

According to a psychologist - by Laura Barry
  • 29 Nov 2018

Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, family gatherings or anniversaries, there’s always a social event where at least one person will behave in a passive aggressive manner each year.

How to deal with passive aggressive people

In fact, it may just be a co-worker that you see every day. Whatever your experience with the behaviour, there’s no doubt it’s caught you on the back foot and left you wondering how you should react to it.

 

Passive aggressive behaviour is something many of us have encountered, but not many of us know the correct way to counter it. We asked the psychologists at online psychological support organisation LYSN for their advice on dealing with the behaviour, Here is what psychologist Noosha Anzab had to say.

“The thing to be curious about when it comes to passive aggressive behaviour is intent,” says Noosha. “It isn't always done to be evil, malicious or hurtful. Sometimes, passive aggression is employed as a coping method by those who are attempting to avoid potential conflict. People who engage in passive aggressive behaviour are allowing themselves to act out their hidden anger or frustration in what they believe to be a discrete way.”

couple that look unhappy
Getty

1. Understand the behavior

Noosha says there are many different things that can fuel passive aggressive behavior, and the best thing yu can do is learn how to spot it.

 “It might come in the form of a snarky remark, breaking a promise, acting stubborn, ongoing excuses, silent treatment or claiming to be a victim. It’s likely that person has repressed some hostility, anger and resentment from the past. Knowing how to spot their indirect aggression can help you to know how to react.”

2. Try to avoid triggers

 Try to avoid fueling the passive aggressive behavior by removing the opportunity for the person to be passive aggressive.

“If you have some awareness around why the person might have some pent up aggression when it comes to a particular topic, try to avoid giving them the opportunity to be passive aggressive,” says Noosha. “Never normalize unacceptable behavior. Instead, consciously avoid talking about certain topics or reacting in particular ways which might ignite their aggression - in whatever form it may be. Try to limit your interactions and maintain boundaries around self-care.”

couple who are arguing
Getty

3. Don’t take the bait

 One of the most important things about dealing with passive aggressive behavior is not reacting to it the way that person wants you to.

“If you know that their response is intended in a purely passive aggressive manner, don’t take the bait and respond to it the way they’re expecting you to. Try not to engage in the drama they’re trying to create and instead take the high road – That means answer the content not the context (if they’re being sarcastic) or changing the subject all together.”

For example, if a person sarcastically says ‘thanks for all your help’ is a way that’s passive aggressive, respond to the content of their comment and simply say ‘your welcome!”

4. Focus on the ‘now’

 If you plan on confronting the passive aggressive behavior, Noosha suggests satying in the present, taking a deep breath to stay grounded and rather than airing a long list of past transgressions, talk about what happen right now in the present moment. 

“If you decide to call someone out on their behaviour, be sure to focus on the present moment and don’t bring up the past,” says Noosha. “Tell the person how their words have made you feel by using "I feel [this way] because of [this action]" statements and concentrate on facts rather than judgment or speculation.”

5. Be assertive

“Passive aggressive behaviour is all about avoidance, so don’t react in the same way. Instead, be assertive by focusing on issues head on. Use ‘I’ statements in response rather than blaming and accusatory ‘you’ statements. The aim isn't to fight fire with fire. Try to remain calm, and avoid pointing the finger as blame can trigger the defense mechanism and really escalate conflict.”

You might also like:

How to avoid family fights at Christmas

5 simple expert-approved ways to stop a panic attack

How to reduce anxiety 

  • Health
  • Better Life
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The one product you should never travel without

The one product you should never travel without

How to pick the perfect Secret Santa gift

How to pick the perfect Secret Santa gift

Style tips to make a small room more spacious

Style tips to make a small room more spacious

How to get on top of your to-do list in 2020

How to get on top of your to-do list in 2020

{headline}

{headline}

4 things most people forget to check when they buy property

4 things most people forget to check when they buy property

3 colours you should always wear when asking for a pay rise

3 colours you should always wear when asking for a pay rise

How to pick the right internet connection for you

How to pick the right internet connection for you

{headline}

{headline}

5 new ways to save money on your power bill

5 new ways to save money on your power bill

6 things you should never buy second hand

6 things you should never buy second hand

How to tell if your wine has gone bad

How to tell if your wine has gone bad

Why being grumpy at work could actually make you more productive

Why being grumpy at work could actually make you more productive

How to work less without quitting your job

How to work less without quitting your job

How to identify a dodgy removalist

How to identify a dodgy removalist

This is the real reason you can’t stand that one co-worker

This is the real reason you can’t stand that one co-worker

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!