PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE

PERSONALITY
DISORDER
What Is Passive-Aggressive
Behavior?
•People with passive-
aggressive behavior express
their negative feelings subtly
through their actions instead
of handling them directly. This
creates a separation between
what they say and what they
do.
• For example, say someone
proposes a plan at work. A person
with passive-aggressive behavior
may oppose the plan, but instead of
voicing their opinion, they say that
they agree with it. Since they’re
actually against the plan, however,
they resist following it. They may
purposely miss deadlines, turn up
late to meetings, and undermine
the plan in other ways.
Here’s another example: A
woman is studying with her
boyfriend in the same room.
She is upset with him, but
instead of telling him that she
is mad at him, she blasts the
music on their laptop to
bother him.
Some common signs of passive-
aggressive behavior include:
• bitterness and hostility toward other
peoples’ requests
• intentionally delaying or making
mistakes when dealing with other
peoples’ requests
• having a cynical, pessimistic, or
aggressive demeanor
• frequently complaining about feeling
underappreciated or deceived
• Passive-aggressive behavior can be a
symptom of several mental disorders,
but it’s not considered to be a distinct
mental health condition. This type of
behavior can affect a person’s ability to
create and maintain healthy
relationships, and can cause problems
at work. However, there are ways to
manage passive-aggressive behavior so
that it doesn’t have a negative impact
on someone’s quality of life.
Signs of Passive-Aggressive
Behavior
•There is usually some
disconnect between what a
person with passive-aggressive
behavior says and what they
do. Their behavior often
angers family members,
friends, and co-workers.
However, the person may not
be aware of their passive-
aggressive behavior.
SIGNS OF THIS TYPE OF
BEHAVIOR INCLUDE:
• frequently criticizing or protesting
• being disagreeable or irritable
• procrastinating or being forgetful
• performing tasks inefficiently
• acting hostile or cynical
• acting stubborn
• blaming others
• complaining about being unappreciated
• displaying resentment over the demands
of others
 CAUSES OF PASSIVE-
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
• The exact cause of passive-aggressive
behavior isn’t known. However, both
biological and environmental factors may
contribute to the development of passive-
aggressive behavior.
• Researchers believe people who exhibit
passive-aggressive behaviors begin doing so
in childhood. Parenting style, family
dynamics, and other childhood influences
may be contributing factors. Child abuse,
neglect, and harsh punishment can also
cause a person to develop passive-aggressive
behaviors. Substance abuse and low self-
esteem are also thought to lead to this type
of behavior.
TREATMENT FOR PASSIVE-
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
•If an underlying health
condition is causing your
passive-aggressive
behavior, then that
condition will be treated
first. Your behaviors
should improve with
treatment.
• You may also be referred to a therapist or other
mental health professional for counseling. A
therapist can help you identify passive-
aggressive behavior and teach you how to
change your behavior. They can also help you
work through anger, resentment, or low self-
esteem issues that may be contributing to your
passive-aggressive behavior. They may even
teach you effective coping strategies, including
how to look at a situation objectively and how to
solve problems in a healthy way.
•Assertiveness training can also
help you manage passive-
aggressive behavior. These
courses teach you how to
express your thoughts and
concerns effectively. This can
help to reduce negative
behaviors caused by underlying
anger and frustration.
There are also some easy things you can
do every day to eliminate your passive-
aggressive behavior. These include:

• being aware of your behavior

• identifying possible reasons for your
passive-aggressive behavior
• thinking clearly before you act
• calming yourself down before reacting to
situations that make you upset
• staying optimistic
• being honest with others and expressing
your feelings in a healthy way instead of
acting passive-aggressively
THANK YOU!