Which of the following is an early warning sign?

• A. Gives excessive emotional attention
• B. Conspicuously ignores you
• C. Moves in an exaggerated way
• D. Ceases all movement

Answer: (B)

Early warning signs are cues that a person is disengaging or preparing to escalate, signaling you may need to adjust your approach. Deliberate ignoring you is the clearest example of this: when someone consciously withholds response and avoids engagement, it shows a shift toward noncooperation or defiance. Recognizing this allows you to slow the interaction, avoid pushing for compliance, give space, and use calmer, nonconfrontational communication while monitoring for additional cues.

Giving excessive emotional attention is more about trying to gain control through manipulation or overemphasis, not a disengagement signal. Moving in an exaggerated way can indicate agitation or a reaction to the situation, but it doesn’t necessarily show the same intentional disengagement. Ceasing all movement could be a freeze response or a sign of fear or pain, but it isn’t as reliable a marker of an escalating or nonresponsive stance as purposeful ignoring.