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Passive Aggressive

Also called: Passive Aggressive Behavior, Passive Aggression, Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder

- Summary
- About passive aggression
- Signs and symptoms
- Coping with passive aggression
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Steven A. King, M.D.

Coping with passive aggression

In some cases, a person who appears to have passive-aggressive characteristics may be referred to a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. This is particularly important if the behavior is actually a result of passive aggressive personality disorder.

Therapy that explores the situations that provoke the behavior and potential ways to change it may help some people. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) helps patients replace negative thoughts and behaviors with more positive alternatives. Patients also are encouraged to focus on the unconscious conflicts that may be contributing to symptoms, and to examine the impact of their behavior on others. Group therapy may help some passive-aggressive people learn to better manage their hostility. In many therapeutic settings, a passive-aggressive person will initially participate in treatment and then give up because they do not recognize their behavior as a problem or are unwilling to make changes.

 

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Review Date: 09-14-2008

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