Stonewalling

Stonewalling is when a person is actually emotionally overwhelmed and instead of expressing the overwhelm actively with outward intensity, the person detaches and appears to be cold to their partner and uninterested in what they are saying. Stonewalling is actually for form of flooding and a signal that that person needs to take a time out of at least 20 minutes or more, until they feel safe and can actually engage with the other person.

Video excerpt of Making Marriage Work seminar with John Gottman explaining what Stonewalling is and what to do about it. This is a great resource for marriage therapy to help resolve relationship conflict and communicate effectively.