How to Cope With Passive Aggressive Bullies

How to Cope With Passive Aggressive Bullies Stress Management Job Stress Workplace Bullying Print How to Cope With Passive Aggressive Bullies By Sherri Gordon facebook twitter Sherri Gordon is a published author and a bullying prevention expert. Learn about our editorial policy Sherri Gordon Updated on October 06, 2019 Ljupco/iStockphoto More in Stress Management Job Stress Workplace Bullying Effects on Health Management Techniques Situational Stress Household Stress Relationship Stress Interacting and coping with a passive aggressive person is complicated. Most of the time, her actions are complex, confusing and often used as a way of coping with stress, anxieties, and insecurities. People who are passive aggressive often deny that they are hurt, angry or offended. Yet, they will lash out at you in subtle and puzzling ways. For instance, they may give people the silent treatment, ostracize people from the group, use passive violence like slamming books or doors or engage in subtle forms of relational aggression. But the person on the receiving end has no idea why this behavior is happening. After all, the passive aggressive person denied she was even angry. Many times, passive aggressive people are sarcastic, even when sarcasm is an inappropriate response. And when confronted about their mean behavior, they will pass it off as a joke often accusing the victim of being too sensitive.  These bullies also tend to seek out people who will not address their actions or hold them accountable. Consequently, they prey on people who are afraid of conflict or who engage in people-pleasing. By doing so, they do not have to be honest about their feelings or take responsibility for their actions, but they can still express their hostilities without ever having a real fight. Common Passive Aggressive Behaviors Its not always easy to spot this type of bully. Some passive aggressive bullies sabotage others quietly when no one is watching and then act innocent when confronted. Others will be sullen and argumentative. The irony is that beneath this bullys exterior lies low  self-esteem, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy and an inability to express anger in a healthy way. Passive aggressive bullies may not realize they are angry or feeling resentful  because their feelings are repressed. Consequently, they often complain that they are misunderstood and victimized. They also believe others are holding them to unreasonable standards when they are confronted. Here are some behaviors that will help you identify passive aggressive people. Denial of truth. The passive-aggressive person rarely says what she is really thinking, which can be confusing for people on the receiving end. For instance, when a passive aggressive mean girl is confronted about acting mean, she will feign innocence or deny that she was cruel even though her actions say something completely different. 7 Ways to Spot a Mean Girl at the Office Blaming. The passive-aggressive person rarely takes responsibility for her actions. If she doesn’t blame you for what happened, then she will blame her teacher, her boss, even the weather. The passive aggressive person cannot ever accept that she is at fault. If something happens, it has to be someone else’s fault. As a result, she engages in minimization and  victim-blaming on a regular basis. Mixed messages. Passive-aggressive people hide their resentment about being asked to do something by being accommodating. As a result, they may agree to do something but really are angry about having been asked to do. To relieve some of their resentment, they may give the person making the request the silent treatment. Or, they may talk about the person making the request and even spread rumors or gossip. Other times, they may simply never follow through with what was requested. Rarely display anger. Passive-aggressive people often stuff their anger. They may even appear happy and accommodating on the outside most of the time. But beware. They will act on their pent up anger by sticking it to someone in an under-handed way. By doing so, they are letting out some of their anger without ever admitting that they are upset.  The passive aggressive person often feels she is treated  unfairly. She also feels taken advantage of and resentful. As a result, it is not uncommon for passive aggressive bullies to engage in  victim-thinking. If someone  gets upset because of something she did, then in her mind that person is bullying her. She could never see herself as a bully. Boundary issues. Passive-aggressive people tend to lack boundaries and gravitate toward others without boundaries. As a result, they often make those who are conflict-averse the focal point of their hostilities by creating drama. Coping With Passive Aggressive People Confronting a passive-aggressive person at school or at work requires honesty. Calling the behavior out with no apologies and setting boundaries is essential. Remember, passive aggressiveness is a form of hostility and should be treated as such. What’s more, passive-aggressive people do not openly discuss issues that may be bothering them. As a result, when confronted they may make inappropriate remarks and mumble under their breath. Do not let this keep you from confronting their behavior.  Here are some other ways to overcome the negative effect of dealing with passive aggressiveness. Be direct. When dealing with a passive-aggressive person, be sure you are assertive and clear about your expectations. You also want to establish boundaries where needed. Make sure everything you say is factual and not emotional. Being clear and level-headed are the best defenses against a passive aggressive person. Tips for Setting Boundaries in Relationships Control your response. Focus on staying calm, keeping your voice neutral and holding your emotions in check. The less you react to their actions, the less control they have over you. Remind yourself that while you cannot keep a passive-aggressive person from slamming doors and pouting, you can control your response. Make sure you respond in a healthy way to their unhealthy behaviors. Recognize that you cannot change a passive-aggressive person. While confronting a passive-aggressive bully about her behavior is a positive first step, there is no guarantee the person will accept what you are saying. Instead, focus on what you can do to improve the situation like setting boundaries or communicating honestly about how their actions affect you. Avoid getting  offended. Remind yourself that a passive-aggressive person’s anger stems from her background and is not your responsibility. You do not have to appease the passive-aggressive person. Stick to what you know is right regardless of her underhandedness or demands. Be empathetic. It is challenging to be compassionate and empathetic toward someone that is so difficult to be around. But in the end, it can be very effective. You could say something like: “It seems like you are frustrated by what happened at practice yesterday. That must be difficult.” Remember, passive-aggressive people feel misunderstood. So, if you try to understand where they are coming from, it can go a long way in helping you cope with their behaviors.