Verbal Abuse Is Destroying More Lives Than You Think—Are You a Victim?

Verbal abuse in relationships is a subtle yet incredibly damaging form of emotional manipulation. While physical abuse leave visible scars, verbal abuse creates invisible scars that can be equally damaging. This kind of emotional mistreatment is when words are used to dominate, belittle and demoralize a partner, dripping away at their self-worth over time.


Identifying verbal abuse is the first step to escaping the damage it causes. Common signs of verbal abuse include:

A verbally abusive partner belittles the other half or criticizes them constantly, making them feel worthless.
Using derogatory language or embarrassing nicknames to destroy self-esteem.

Distorting truths, forcing the victim to doubt their grasp on reality.

Using fear to control a partner, including threats of abandonment or harm.

Making the victim responsible for all that could ever go wrong in the relationship.

Refusal to communicate as a form of punishment or control.


Feeling that form of emotional abuse can be as harmful as physical violence, causing mental anguish. Victims often experience:

Negative thoughts can hinder emotion stability.

The victim repeatedly hears negative things about themselves, and eventually they believe it.

They may pull away from friends and family members to prevent conflict.

Gaslighting techniques cause victims to doubt their own judgment and cognition.

Chronic abuse can cause headaches, insomnia, and other stress-related conditions.

Verbal abuse does not just only affect the person who is being abused, it also affects the entire relationship. Read More From Kindred: Overing, verbal abuse creates a toxic environment where love is displaced by fear and control. Partners in verbally abusive relationships might feel they cannot leave, or they might think they deserve to be mistreated. The longer the abuse goes on, the more difficult it is to even recognize what a healthy relationship looks like.

Spotting verbal abuse warning signs and understanding how to overcome them early on can prevent long-lasting damage in a relationship. Some red flags include:
Always feeling like you’re walking on eggshells around your partner.
Feeling a constant sense of guilt or shame.
Fear of what you say or feel being publicly available.
Seeing your partner diminishes you every time, even in front of other people.
Or feel drained or anxious after talking to your partner.

Some of it would also have been about stroking fragility, I think, finding ways of complimenting as well as ways of saying that I was not envious of the next person. If you or someone you know is in a verbally abusive relationship, here are some steps to verbal abuse recovery to be aware of:

Knowing that you are in an abusive relationship is the initial step on a path to freedom.

Set boundaries and explain which behaviors are unacceptable.

Talk to trusted friends, family members, or professional counselors for guidance and validation.

These are great activities to reset self-esteem and mental wellness, such as journaling, meditating, or therapy.
Seek Professional Help A licensed therapist can guide rebuilding confidence and navigating the intricacies of trauma.

If it's essential that the individual leaves the relationship, devise a safety plan with the use of support networks or domestic abuse hotlines.

Emotional well-being has a silent destructive force, which is verbal abuse in relationships. Learning the signs to look for, how the insidious effects of this type of abuse can manifest, and steps towards healing; can help empower those affected by this type of abuse to rebuild their self-value and develop healthier, more satisfying relationships. If you think that you or a loved one might be experiencing verbal abuse, reach out for help. You should be treated with respect, love, and kindness.

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