Dealing with Stonewalling in a Marriage

Licensed therapist and Orange County reserve deputy Jorge Galindo possesses more than 20 years of experience working with clients in residential and outpatient settings. Jorge Galindo has run a private practice alongside his spouse, Miriam Galindo, Psy.D., since 2000, where he conducts individual and marriage counseling sessions.

Poor communication is one of the leading causes of divorce. Couples with unhealthy communication tactics such as stonewalling can establish negative patterns that eventually erode trust and intimacy. Stonewalling refers to the refusal to engage in conversation about certain topics by walking away or shutting down.

While stonewalling can occur in reaction to a long history of relationship conflict, many people use stonewalling as a defense mechanism to avoid emotional pain. Counseling can bring insight into the reasons why a partner shuts down. It may be an outdated coping skill learned in childhood, or a reaction to fear. Once the reasons for the stonewalling have been identified, partners can then learn more respectful communication strategies to rebuild their relationships.

Differences Between Type I and Type II Bipolar Disorders

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For nearly two decades, private practice therapist Dr. Jorge Galindo has counseled individuals and families involved in inpatient, outpatient, and court-mandated programs. Jorge Galindo has extensive experience treating individuals with bipolar disorder in a psychiatric care setting.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by intertwining periods of deep depressive and elevated manic states. The condition is divided into two main types, type I and type II. Type I bipolar is defined by at least one full manic episode. During a manic episode, a person with bipolar I may experience symptoms such as restlessness, intense euphoria, and poor or risky behaviors. These such symptoms may be so severe that hospitalization may become necessary.

People with type I may or may not experience depressive symptoms. However, individuals with type II experience depressive symptoms that persist for two weeks or longer and at least one hypomanic episode, which is generally not as severe as a full manic episode.

Since the symptoms of hypomania are less pronounced than full mania, people with bipolar II are more likely to seek treatment for their depression. Both types require a professional diagnosis and can be treated with a combination of talk therapy and medication.