Arguments can be a regular part of an intimate relationship. However, when these arguments escalate, the line between a difference of opinion and verbal abuse can be unclear. There can be subtleties that point to verbal abuse and have no place in a fight with your significant other.

Are you the verbal abuser perpetuating the cycle of abuse? The cycle of verbal abuse is a complex one that many individuals are unaware of until they are in the middle of it. Often, verbal abusers are acting out learned behaviors that they experienced in their lives.

Suicide is a very real and prevalent issue for individuals of any age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. It can be more widespread in some locations or groups, but anyone can fall victim to suicidal thoughts, including individuals who suffer from verbal abuse. 

Facing verbal abuse can be traumatic and exhausting, especially if it is ongoing. However, if you are the victim of verbal abuse, staying strong and being resilient can give you the power you need to move through a difficult situation and towards a healing path.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of verbal abuse, it can be hard to determine how to handle the situation. Verbal abuse can show up in the home, at work, or even in public situations. Each circumstance is unique, and knowing how to defend yourself against verbal abuse can be complex. In some cases, verbal abuse can lead to physical violence, so effectively handling it can keep you safe from harm.

It can be hard to talk about a situation that involves verbal abuse. Many victims can be hesitant to share their verbal abuse stories, especially when they are afraid of backlash or gaslighting from others. This reluctance is a barrier that can keep individuals from leaving abuse, healing, and moving forward.

Unfortunately, too often, many individuals will repeat the behaviors that they endured, continuing the damaging cycle for years. For anyone who has fallen victim to verbal abuse and its effects, finding healing and healthy relationships onward can be vital to help break the cycle of verbal abuse.

One thing that I have realized through the years is that verbal abuse is not personal, even in those situations when the abuser is picking apart your personality traits or other sensitive items. Verbal abuse from someone stems from the abuser's insecurities and not your inadequacies.

The effects of verbal abuse are numerous. They can affect the victim during times of abuse and also long afterward, impacting their life. Some side effects have influenced my adulthood, even years after facing an abusive situation. Isolation and loneliness are factors that have made their way into my world with verbal abuse.

As a victim of verbal abuse, I have found several factors still affect my everyday life, even years after my exposure to any insults and humiliation from someone else. But my perception of others' behavior is sometimes skewed with my history, making it harder to relate to and trust people.