A verbally aggressive person uses words to frighten, degrade or intimidate others. These types of verbal attacks can be overt or subtle, and they often occur in intimate relationships, at work or in public places. In some cases, the abuser may become physically aggressive as well.
It’s important to understand the difference between verbal aggression and physical violence. Using verbal aggression to hurt someone is illegal and can have lasting emotional, psychological and mental health impacts. It’s also a common cause of workplace violence.
Verbal aggressive behavior is often difficult to detect and understand. It can involve the use of profanity, insults, curse words and other negative language to intimidate others or manipulate them into compliance. It can include overt forms of aggression like name calling or threats, but it also includes more insidious techniques such as gaslighting, constantly correcting, interrupting, putting others down or the prolonged silent treatment.
When dealing with a verbally verbal aggressive person, it’s important to remember that they are likely experiencing high levels of adrenaline. This can affect their ability to think clearly and respond rationally. For this reason, it’s a good idea to take some time to calm down before trying to talk through the problem.
For instance, if a coworker is screaming at you in the hallway, it might be better to take a walk and come back later when they are in a more calm state of mind. If you are worried about the safety of yourself or others, it’s also a good idea to call in for help.
People who are verbally aggressive are often predisposed to this kind of behavior for a number of reasons. These can include their family history, past experiences, personality and mental illness. They may even have a lack of basic argumentative skills that make them resort to aggression.
Verbal aggression can be a form of emotional abuse in intimate relationships, and it is particularly damaging when it occurs in marriages and families. When this happens, it can lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem in the victim. It can also lead to feelings of worthlessness and difficulty trusting others.
In addition to its emotional and psychological consequences, verbal aggression can be dangerous to one’s physical health. It can lead to increased blood pressure, heart rate and stress, which can then have a negative impact on the body. In the worst case scenario, it can even result in a stroke or heart attack.
As a result, it’s important for everyone to learn how to identify verbally aggressive behaviors and know how to respond. A professional therapist can help individuals understand their own relationship with aggression and offer guidance in addressing it. They can teach strategies and provide tools to prevent and stop verbally aggressive behavior from occurring in the first place, as well as how to get help when it does. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced abuse as children or in other abusive situations.