Yes, Verbal Abuse Can Harm Mental Health—Here’s How to Heal

Verbal abuse can deeply impact self-esteem and mental health, leaving emotional wounds. Understanding its effects is the first step toward healing.

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Verbal abuse is one of the most damaging yet often overlooked forms of emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, which leaves visible wounds, verbal aggression operates in the shadows, chipping away at a person’s self-esteem, confidence, and mental health. It can occur in romantic relationships, families, workplaces, and friendships, making its impact widespread and deeply personal. Yet, because it doesn’t leave physical scars, it is often dismissed or minimized.

Words matter—and when used to harm, they can leave lasting emotional wounds. Read on to learn more about how being the victim of verbal abuse can affect your mental health and tips and resources for healing from this kind of abuse. 

What is verbal abuse?

Verbal abuse is a pattern of harmful words, insults, threats, or manipulative language designed to control, demean, or instill fear in another person. Unlike occasional arguments or disagreements, which are normal in any relationship, verbal abuse is persistent and intended to cause emotional harm. It can take many forms, from constant criticism and humiliation to gaslighting and outright threats.

In romantic relationships, a partner may use degrading language or emotional manipulation to exert control. In parent-child dynamics, a verbally abusive parent may belittle or shame their child, leading to deep psychological wounds. Workplace environments can also be toxic when a boss or colleague engages in verbal aggression, creating a space filled with stress and fear. Even friendships can be sources of verbal abuse when one person persistently invalidates or manipulates the other.

What are signs you might be experiencing verbal abuse?

Recognizing verbal abuse can be challenging, especially if it has been normalized within a romantic relationship, family dynamic, or workplace. Here are some common signs:

• You are constantly criticized or belittled, even in private conversations.
• You feel guilty or afraid to express your thoughts and opinions.
• You experience gaslighting, where your reality is denied or twisted.
• You are blamed for things that are not your fault, leading to confusion and self-doubt.
• You are subjected to verbal aggression in the form of yelling, threats, or degrading language.

If any of these signs resonate with you, it may be time to evaluate whether you are in an abusive relationship or environment.

How does verbal abuse affect your mental health?

Verbal abuse, including verbal threats, can have a lasting and profound impact on mental health. Research shows that people who experienced verbal abuse during childhood are more likely to develop conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety as adults. Verbal threats and other forms of abusive behavior alter emotional regulation, heightening the risk of mental health issues, the research found. 

Victims of verbally abusive relationships often develop an overactive stress response, making them more vulnerable to trauma and difficulties in forming healthy social connections. Whether verbal threats or emotional manipulation are part of the abuse, acknowledging the emotional scars is essential for healing. Therapy can offer crucial support to rebuild emotional well-being after enduring any kind of abusive behavior, including verbal abuse or instances of physical harm or sexual violence.

How to break the cycle of verbal abuse

Understanding that emotional wounds are just as real as physical ones is the first step toward recovery. Setting clear boundaries is essential—communicating what is unacceptable and enforcing consequences when those boundaries are crossed. Seeking support from trusted friends, family members, or a violence prevention program can also help victims regain their confidence and emotional stability.

Therapy, whether in-person or through online therapy, provides a safe space to process the effects of psychological abuse and develop strategies for healing. Many survivors benefit from trauma-informed therapy, which helps address deep-seated emotional wounds and rebuild a healthy self-image.

Leaving an abusive relationship is never easy, especially when factors like financial abuse, child abuse, or physical violence are involved. However, no one deserves to live in a cycle of emotional harm. Healing is possible with the right support and resources.

For those experiencing domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or financial abuse, creating a safety plan may be necessary. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers resources for people who need immediate help.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with verbal abuse, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides mental health treatment for people dealing with the emotional and physical effects of abuse, including verbal abuse, physical harm, sexual violence, and more. Our expert clinicians use evidence-based therapies in individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With support, you can begin managing your mental health and healing from the trauma of a verbally abusive relationship. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start your healing journey today.