Which is worse: Physical Abuse, or Verbal Abuse?

Question

I find verbal abuse the worse of the two

Answer 1

Both are equally bad, kind of like asking which is worse getting shot with a gun or stabbed with a knife. At least with physical abuse, the physical pain, can at least heal and go away. But, with verbal abuse, the words and tone can remain a lifetime. (Usually, verbal abuse accompanies the physical abuse, creating a double whammy)

Answer 2

Well .... Sticks and stones, do indeed, break my bones. But words do hurt. "as bad" ... well, let's just say that they are different. It is easier to get over a slap or a punch. That doesn't leave physical scars, like some choice words can leave emotional scars. However words can't kill or maim somebody. I used to think that words hurt worse than a beating. But when I really come to think about it, it isn't about what hurts worse, it is about what will land you in the ER or in the morgue. And for those of you men, who think I am exaggerating .... the world looks very different if you weigh 120 lbs. You feel a lot more vulnerable, than if you are 6' tall 250 lbs. It took me years to get over verbal abuse. Believe me I know what it is like. Years and years. But it didn't kill me. But people on here are right ... I guess to add to it, with verbal abuse there is often not a clear victim and a clear perpetrator because it gets blended up and it is very subjective. And there are indeed people who are manipulative and are masters at being abusers, but they don't perceive themselves as such. But again, that won't land you in the ER, but more than likely emotional shitcrap will escalate into physical.

Answer 3

Hard, hard question. I never allowed anyone to touch me in anger. I never will. But I lived with verbal abuse for 17 years before I had the courage to end it. I think verbal abuse is not accepted that quickly as an accusation. You can't see the scars in the soul, you can see the black eyes and they will be noticed. Ladies, wake up accept NO abuse.

Answer 4

Verbal abuse. You know the saying, "Sticks and stones may break her bones, but words can make her starve herself to death."
Verbal abuse stays in your thoughts forever, even as a repressed memory. It eats away at you until you're nothing more or less than vulnerable.

Physical abuse, while painful, is the lesser of two evils.

Answer 5

Physical and verbal abuse are two different forms of mental abuse. While the signs of physical abuse fades away, it is distructive to the soul, just as verbal abuse.

Answer 6

Both are bad, but the physical is worst, because it hurts more, on the outside. But the verbal abuse and strong conflicts are ad for the heart and emotions. Also bad for friendship and relationship.

Answer 7

I think verbal abuse would tend to have a long term affect on a person, than a slap across the face.

Answer 8

you are absolutely right because the verbal abuse can make a much deeper damage than the physical abuse.

Answer 9

If I had to pick one of two evils, I guess I would have to determine which is worst: getting killed or the killing of your spirit. I'm going to have to go with getting killed (physical abuse). One can get psychological counseling and in time, revive the spirit (verbal abuse) but no amount of counseling is going to bring anyone back from the dead.

Answer 10

Essentially, physical abuse IS worse, but emotional abuse can be very damaging, and the effects can last a lifetime.