Description:
It should come as no shock when marital partners disagree and feel angry.  That is part of life, and there are clean ways to address the disputes.  Some individuals, however, become so intense in their emotions that their behavior becomes abusive.  In this episode we will identify eight indicators of verbal abuse, and we will also discuss ways to respond to the abuse so it will not increase.
Something to Think about:
 

The beginning of abuse involves a need to dominate and belittle.

Abusers are hurt people and they somehow justify to themselves that the way to alleviate the hurt is to dole out hurt.

When responding to verbal abuse it is a mistake to assume you can reform that person’s thinking at that moment.

 
Let’s Talk Question:
In your opinion, how do verbal abusers rationalize their behavior so it seems less severe than it really is?