| "I can't be in an abusive relationship - they've never | | | | Even if a relationship is "merely" verbally abusive (as |
| raised a hand to me." | | | | opposed to physically), it can take a tremendous toll |
| Does this sound familiar to you? Maybe this | | | | on a person's spirit and be incredibly destructive to |
| statement or something similar has been said to you | | | | be a part of. Day after day of listening to derogatory |
| by a friend, or a relative - or maybe even yourself. | | | | comments about yourself, expressed in the most |
| It's easy to try to justify a destructive relationship as | | | | hostile and vitriolic tones possible, eats away at a |
| "not actually abusive" simply because the person has | | | | person's self image. Then when that turns to year |
| never resorted to physical violence, but does that | | | | upon year of listening to a constant barrage of verbal |
| really exclude it from the category of "abusive" | | | | abuse, there can be damage done to a person's |
| relationships? | | | | self-concept that could be irreversible. |
| The answer is "No." | | | | If you have a loved one (including yourself) who is |
| Relationships can fall into a number of categories | | | | involved in a damaging, destructive relationship with |
| without ever involving physical violence - for instance, | | | | someone who constantly degrades them or yells at |
| verbally abusive relationships. | | | | them, encourage them to seek help before it |
| Verbally abusive relationships occur when one of the | | | | escalates. They may believe that it will never |
| partners is constantly berating and belittling the other | | | | escalate to physical violence, and the truth is that it |
| partner. This can involve insults, name calling, yelling, | | | | might or might not. |
| or sarcasm. In many instances, the relationships are | | | | The point is, that it doesn't matter if it escalates or |
| mutually verbally abusive, meaning, both partners are | | | | not. The damage is being done right now, one hateful |
| verbally abusive to one another. | | | | word at a time. |