Verbal aggression can be likened to a wild, rabid animal coming after you with little or no logical reason – adult bullies like this should not be tolerated. It’s also essential that both parties in a relationship support each other in standing up for themselves and setting healthy boundaries so that neither one becomes a target for verbal aggression. Verbal aggression often comes with little or no reason, like an attack from a wild animal. These people are adult bullies, and it is important not to take this kind of behavior from anyone.
If verbal aggression is encountered, it is important to take action right away. Such behavior can lead to domestic or workplace violence and should not be tolerated in any context. Take steps to de-escalate the situation and provide resources such as counseling apps or similar services if needed. Show understanding and compassion towards the abuser while also providing support to the victim by listening and offering help if needed. Address the issue before it escalates out of control in order to avoid further complications.
I’m sure you are questioning yourself “How do I respond to verbal abuse?”
Here’s a list of 9 ways to effectively and peacefully respond to a verbally abusive person
- Avoid getting angry or engaging in an argument. Instead, take some deep breaths and focus on remaining calm and composed.
- Remind yourself that you do not deserve this kind of treatment and that the speaker is likely coming from an uncomfortable place.
- Use “I” statements to express how their words have made you feel, such as “I feel disrespected when you speak to me in that tone”, rather than engaging in an accusatory back-and-forth with them.
- Explain the situation from your perspective without attacking the other person or putting them down.
- Offer solutions and ideas for deescalating the situation but be sure not to make demands or suggestions that could be seen as condescending or patronizing.
- Maintain boundaries by reminding yourself and others of what is acceptable behavior in your presence – no one deserves to be spoken to disrespectfully regardless of their past actions or words toward you.
- If all else fails, remove yourself from the conversation if it becomes too hostile and escalate it to someone who can help provide a solution if necessary (such as a supervisor or manager)
- Responding to verbal abuse with humor can be an effective way to defuse a tense situation. For example, if someone says something like “You’re an absolute idiot”, you could respond with something like “I know, but at least I’m good-looking” or “A genius like me should never be called an idiot”.
- Make sure to approach the conversation with compassion and empathy. Give them the space to express their feelings without interruption. Let them know that you’re not judging them, but rather trying to understand where they are coming from. Offer constructive support, and focus on helping the person find a way to work through their anger and channel it into a more productive and positive emotion or action.
The BIFF method
When faced with a verbally abusive person, it is important to use the BIFF method in your response – that is: Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm. For example, when someone says “Why did you do that? You never listen to me and you are irresponsible” you could say “Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It is good to know that you want to be included in making decisions and want things to go well. I’ll let you know if there are some opportunities for collaboration in the future. Enjoy your afternoon.” In this way, you can express your feelings without escalating the situation further and preserve a respectful posture throughout the conversation.
How to Protect Yourself from Verbal Abuse: Tips for Avoiding and Responding
- Keep a record of any incidents of verbal abuse. This can help if you need to report it or seek legal advice.
- Talk to someone about the abuse. This could be a friend, family member, or professional who can offer support and guidance.
- Seek legal advice if the situation is serious or has become repetitive. Laws may differ from country to country, so do your research accordingly.
- Avoid confrontational conversations with the abuser and walk away from the situation if possible.
- Use positive self-talk and strategies such as meditation and exercise to help manage stress levels that arise during an abusive conversation
Firstly, assess the situation and make sure it is safe for you to intervene. If possible, de-escalate the situation without escalating it further. Offer resources such as counseling apps, text lines, websites, and phone and video chats that may be helpful when dealing with underlying issues that are causing them to act out in this way. Show understanding and compassion towards the abuser in order to help them cope with their emotions in a healthier manner. Lastly, provide support to the victim of abuse by listening to them and offering any additional help they may need..
How to help the verbally aggressive person
If you come across a verbally abusive person, the most important thing to do is to remain calm and non-confrontational. It can be difficult, but it is important to remember that they may be dealing with underlying issues causing them to act out in this way. Offer to help them by providing resources such as counseling apps, text lines, websites, phone, and video chats. Showing understanding and compassion can go a long way toward helping them cope with their feelings in a healthier manner. Lastly, if it is safe for you to do so, try your best to diffuse the situation without escalating it further.
