What are the consequences of verbal abuse?

The psychological effects of verbal abuse include: fear and anxiety, depression, stress and PTSD, intrusive memories, memory gap disorders, sleep or eating problems, hyper-vigilance and exaggerated startle responses, irritability, anger issues, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, self-harm, and assaultive behaviors.

Can you defend yourself against verbal abuse?

While you may have been trained to ignore these behaviors, recognizing and defending yourself against a verbal assault is appropriate. Your internal defense against a verbal attack may be as invisible as the words that the patient spoke, but it should still exist.

What should you do if someone verbally abuses you?

How to Handle Verbal Abuse

1. Call Out Abusive Behavior.
2. Use Clear Language to Demand That the Behavior Stop.
3. Remain Calm, If Possible.
4. Set Firm Boundaries.
5. Enforce Those Boundaries.
6. Walk Away.
7. End the Relationship If Possible.
8. Seek Help.

How do you respond when someone attacks you verbally?

Taking the Sting out of Insulting Words

1. Allow yourself to ruminate in a healthy way. It’s normal to replay upsetting events in your mind to get a handle on them.
2. Identify the other person’s (possible) motive.
3. Turn the spotlight inward.
4. Know what words really are.
5. Own your vulnerability.
6. Resolve to speak up next time.

What is considered verbal assault?

Verbal assault is an assault that did not escalate to physical violence. It usually involves threatening physical violence on someone, although sometimes yelling or aggressively using words to offend or attack someone can constitute verbal assault.

What are the signs and symptoms of verbal abuse?

The signs of verbal abuse are usually invisible to the world outside of your family. Verbal, emotional and mental abuse eats you alive from the inside out. Abuse can do heavy mental damage and cause mental illnesses like depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Is verbal assault illegal?

There is no such crime as “verbal assault.” However, physical assault is a crime. Threatening physical harm or violence however is a crime. When you threaten to or perform an act of physical violence, the victim can file assault or battery charges against you.

Is verbal abuse a crime in Washington?

Generally, verbal abuse and emotional abuse are not themselves crimes . But Washington State does have several laws that are sometimes applied to cases of domestic verbal abuse. For example, a person who is loudly and disruptively shouting at their spouse may be charged with Disorderly Conduct.