How would you define verbal or psychological abuse?

People that have abnormally low self esteem, I would think. Verbal would be always putting someone down, like, “You aren’t worth anything!” Psychological would be the continuing dimishment of someone, like in a workplace, or cyber-bullying. It’s the act of putting a person in a subjective/objective situation where they are emotionally scarred.

I think this will answer all your questions about the subject thoroughly.

Verbal abuse is being mean to someone you claim to love (and may really believe you love) and it comes in many degrees of severity.
When you treat the people you love in a less respectful manner than you would total strangers, then it’s abuse.
When you feel so comfortable with someone that you justify personal attacks that you would never use on your job or towards an acquaintance then it is abuse.

@Judi nailed it with this:

“When you feel so comfortable with someone that you justify personal attacks that you would never use on your job or towards an acquaintance then it is abuse.”

It differs depending on the person. I suppose it would be anything that makes a person feel overwhelmingly uncomfortable and worthless. It’s hard to say for sure how far is too far. One person may take offense to something that another person can just laugh off.

Thanks for the replies. I think sometimes, unlike physical abuse, there can be a fine line between what is and what isn’t psychological or verbal abuse. I think there is a lot in the tone of voice and in the body language in addition to the choice of words. In some instances a threat of withholding love and acceptance can be as emotionally damaging as the threat of physical violence.
What about a husband or wife who tells their spouse they don’t want to have children because the spouse is/does/doesn’t xyz?
What about a husband or wife who constantly makes put-down jokes about them in front of other people?
What about a husband or wife who is very controlling regarding what the other wears, perhaps even throwing out clothes they don’t like?
What about a spouse continually complaining that the other doesn’t have enough ambition or talent or whatever to get ahead & make more money at work so s/he can have the things s/he wants (making the other feel inadequate)?
I’m sure I could think up a bunch more examples.
I think a good guage is what @troubleinharlem and @ItalianPrincess1217 said about making someone feel worthless.

This is a great tape cd mp book or whatever: I recommend it.

@aprilsimnel – That is very descriptive and accurate. It also applies the other direction, from women to men. Not statistically but effectually.

I classify it as hurting people with words, being mean for no reason. Taking your anger out on ones you love, making threats. There are many levels of verbal abuse, from name calling out of anger and not meaning it to being just plain mean to people.