Do I Have A Passive Communication Style?

Do you often experience resentment and confusion?

Do you avoid expressing your feelings?

Do you live in a continuous state of anxiety or depression?

Do you speak softly, as if you are apologizing?

Do you have difficulties establishing eye contact?

Do you have a hard time to stand firm in your opinions?

Do you rarely show anger toward others?

Are you immature?

Are you often undecided?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you have a passive communication style. People who have a passive communication style, are often unable to express their thoughts or emotions for fear of confrontation by others. It’s a very maladaptive way of communicating, because the person is not able to satisfy his own needs. Even though it’s clearly a dysfunctional type of communication, it may have some advantages. These people are likely to avoid conflicts and also have fewer responsibilities. They feel comfortable by maintaining a behavioral pattern. However, the disadvantages outnumber the advantages.

Based on your answers, you are displaying several signs related to a passive communication style. This communication style causes someone to keep his opinions to himself, to then accumulate all the problems. This may lead to a burst of rage, after which the person returns to their state of passivity. Besides, the lack of expressing emotions can give problems in the form of pains with no physical causes. A passive communication style is very destructive for oneself, and therefore, it may be important to adopt a more assertive communication style. Practice to say ‘no’, use ‘I’ statements, rehearse what you want to say, use your body language, and keep your emotions in check.

Based on your answers, you are showing the signs typically seen among individuals who have a passive communication style. This is usually the result of low self-esteem, as the person believes that it’s not worth it that people pay attention to him. Repressing emotions is very destructive and can cause many problems including skin diseases, arthritis, migraines, chronic fatigue, etc. Also, these people tend to suffer from other psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. It may be important to adopt a more assertive communication style. Practice to say ‘no’, use ‘I’ statements, rehearse what you want to say, use your body language, and keep your emotions in check.