Thais Gibson Personal Development School
@thepersonaldevelopmentschool·499K subscribers·3.8K videos
3 Steps to Deal with An Avoidant Being Passive Aggressive
Posted
May 26, 2026
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2,036
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May 26, 2026
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5:47Now PlayingJoin Our FREE Psychology of the Avoidant Partner & How to Reconnect Masterclass
If Your Avoidant Partner Is Being Passive Aggressive
Passive-aggressive behavior can feel confusing, frustrating, and emotionally exhausting.
One moment things seem okay…
and the next, your Avoidant partner is making subtle jabs, shutting down, or creating tension indirectly instead of communicating openly .
Episode Summary
In this video, Thais Gibson breaks down why Dismissive Avoidants often become passive aggressive and the three healthiest ways to respond without escalating conflict or abandoning yourself.
One of the biggest reasons passive aggression happens is because Dismissive Avoidants often struggle to:
Identify what they’re feeling in real time
Process hurt or frustration directly
Communicate emotional needs openly
Instead of expressing emotions clearly, they may:
• Hold resentment internally
• Ruminate over perceived hurts
• Express frustration indirectly through comments or emotional distance
This creates disconnection, confusion, and unresolved tension in relationships.
Thais walks you through a practical three-step approach to handle these situations more effectively:
• Step 1: Call the behavior out directly and calmly
• Step 2: Address the issue head-on while setting a clear boundary around communication
• Step 3: Vet how the person responds over time
Most importantly, this episode emphasizes that healthy communication requires accountability from both people.
Because communication problems don’t improve through mind-reading, over-functioning, or tolerating unhealthy dynamics. They improve through directness, boundaries, and mutual effort.
Key Takeaways
✔️ Why dismissive avoidants often struggle to communicate needs directly
✔️ How passive aggression develops from unprocessed emotions
✔️ Why avoidants may ruminate before expressing frustration
✔️ The connection between passive aggression and emotional distance
✔️ How to call out passive-aggressive behavior calmly and directly
✔️ Why tone and emotional regulation matter during conflict
✔️ The importance of setting boundaries around communication
✔️ Why observing behavioral change is more important than words alone
✔️ When it may be necessary to set larger relationship boundaries
Timestamps
Meet the Host
Thais Gibson is the founder of The Personal Development School and a world leader in attachment theory. With a Ph.D. and over a dozen certifications, she’s helped more than 70,000 people reprogram their subconscious and build thriving relationships.
Helpful Resources:
🧠 Take the Free Attachment Style Quiz
📚 Read the Learning Love Book
🎧 Discover Podcast Episodes
📝 Read the PDS Blog
Let’s Connect on Socials:
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