signs verbal abuse will turn physical in a relationship

Signs Verbal Abuse will Turn Physical

‘Want to know all the signs verbal abuse will turn physical? Here are all the indicators you need to know.

signs verbal abuse will turn physical

There are always signs that verbal abuse will turn physical. Therefore, in this post, you will learn what those signs are so that you can act beforehand.

Once you learn all these indicators, you will be better prepared to defend yourself when a bully raises a hand to you.

This post is all about the signs verbal abuse will turn physical, so that if you’re being verbally bullied, you will be prepared to defend yourself. And if you’re in an abusive relationship, you can start planning your exit strategy now.

Signs Verbal Abuse will Turn Physical

You would be surprised at how quickly and easily a bully (or any abuser, for that matter) can change from letting their mouths do the talking to letting their fists and feet speak for them.

No one should ever tolerate verbal abuse. However, many do put up with it and don’t realize that words can turn into physical blows.

here’s a scenario you’ll probably recognize

Bullying always escalates. Always. For instance, bullies have been verbally abusing you for quite some time. You remember how they began with subtle digs and zingers. Next, you noticed that they progressed to openly screaming at you and cursing you out like a dog.

They called you ugly names and accused you of things you are not guilty of. They probably shouted you down, everything you even looked like you were going to speak.

And now, they are making threats of violence against you. You’ve begun to feel afraid because you’re not sure if they mean it or not. Therefore, you don’t know when the bullying will become physical and what they’ll do to you when it does.

Understand that your bullies are still pushing your boundaries. Little by little, they up the ante to test you and figure out how you’ll react. In other words, they are seeing what you’ll let them get away with.

Therefore, they always start small. And they ever so gradually turn it up in teeny tiny increments. Bullies do this to condition you to take worse abuse. And sometimes, you don’t even know they’re doing it.

So, how do you know when the verbal bullying you suffer is about to become physical? Here’s how:

1. Signs Verbal Abuse will Turn Physical:

they invade your personal space

You can’t mistake this body language. When bullies invade your space, it’s a surefire sign that things are about to get physical. They get a little too close. They’ll follow close behind you as you’re walking down the hallway or street.

They may stand too close to you in the lunch line or while you’re punching the time clock. They may even step in front of you and block you from going any further.

Understand that body language speaks louder than words ever will. The verbal attacks were only a precursor. If nothing else, know this! Anytime a bully gets too close to you, it means they want to strike you.

Therefore, they are making sure that you are within their reach so that they can. Moreover, they are experimenting with you to gauge your response.

If someone gets in your face, your first response should be to knock the living hell out of them.

In this case, offense is the best defense. In other words, don’t even give them a chance to hit you first. Why? Because the first strike just might be the one that maims or kills you.

Therefore, to prevent a possible physical attack, the time to act is now! You must tell them in no uncertain terms to back off. And if they don’t, it’s time to strike first.

Yes! You heard me correctly. I’m not beyond hauling off and punching someone in the nose if they get in my face and refuse to back off.

However, be aware that you may be in a place where punching a bully isn’t suitable. You may be working at your job or studying in class.

In lieu of fighting, I recommend that you look the bully dead in the eye.  And give the hardest glare you can muster. Then tell them in a low, growling voice to knock it off. Keep in mind that your nonverbal communication (your body language) must match what you say.

Keep glaring at them, without blinking, until they avert their eyes. Make sure you’re standing absolutely still and facing them in a power pose. (More on power poses later) The goal here is to put the fear of God in the bully.

2. Signs Verbal Abuse will Turn Physical:

they lay claim to your things and your territory

Bullies may sit at your desk. They may also pick up your belongings or lean on your car. Understand that, by touching your belongings, bullies are laying claim to what is yours. This is another sign of hostility.

This is the time to assert yourself firmly. Tell them to keep their slimy, grimy paws off your stuff! Bear in mind that messing with your belongings or destroying them is also considered to be physical bullying.

However, be forewarned that most bullies will see this as a challenge. And they will dare you to do something about it.

In this case, don’t be afraid to throw up your dukes. It’s your stuff they’re messing with, and they’re doing it to test you and see how far they can push you! So, don’t fail!

But, just as I mentioned earlier, if you use fisticuffs, make sure the time, place, and conditions are as close to right as possible. If not, do what I suggested at the end of the last section.

3. they will begin assaulting you and making it look like an accident

I call this borderline physical abuse.

Bullies will begin their physical assaults through“accidental” shoves, pushes, and bumps. They may do things “accidentally on purpose.”

For instance, they may“accidentally” run or bump into you in the hallway or parking lot. They might “accidentally” trip you or knock you down.

Or they’ll “accidentally” knock things out of your hands. They will say, “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to (trip, shove, run into you, etc.).

And they’ll say it knowing damn well they did it deliberately. Also, you’ll know it too.

Moreover, they do it, thinking that maybe, just maybe, you won’t notice that it’s escalating. After all, accidents happen all the time. No harm, no foul. Right?

The problem is that if bullies get away with these types of games, they’ll only escalate it until it gets out of control. And once bullying gets out of control, it’s almost impossible to stop or even slow down.

Again, it’s time to throw up those dukes! Remember not to doubt yourself and what you know and feel. And you always know when something is done on purpose. You can sense these kinds of things.

Signs Verbal Abuse will Turn Physical: Like any other form of abuse, Bullying will only get worse if you don’t act.

Understand that bullying, or any form of abuse, always- always gets worse if you let it slide. Because it’s a dark part of human nature to push, push, and push further to see how far one can go.

Again, tune into your body and intuition. In other words, listen to your gut. Why? Because your gut will tell you if what the person did to you was deliberate or an accident.

If your senses tell you they did it on purpose, call it out and ask them to stop it right away. If that doesn’t work and the bully keeps it up, it might be time to throw down. But, whatever you do, put a stop to it because it’ll only get worse if you don’t.

4. They begin threatening physical violence.

This is a surefire sign that verbal bullying is about to escalate to fists. If a bully starts threatening to “kick your butt,” believe them. Take it seriously. And be prepared to defend yourself. Don’t back down and don’t turn your back on them. Why?

Because bullies don’t fight fair, they will attack you from behind the minute you turn your back and walk away.

And if they get in your face, they are violating your personal space. Moreover, it means that they want to get close enough to attack physically. So, don’t hesitate to punch their lights out.

Never doubt what you feel. Trust it!

Many victims of bullying hesitate to act because they don’t trust their instincts. They question their own instincts. “Is he really about to attack me, or is he only trying to scare me?”

The trick is to trust your gut. It picks up on the other person’s energy. If your gut tells you that the person wants to hit you, it is probably right.

Signs Verbal Bullying will Turn Physical:

In conclusion

To defend yourself, you must pay attention and trust your instincts. Look for these signs. And if you see them, you must do whatever it takes to contain the threat. And if that means hitting first, then do it.

With knowledge comes empowerment.

 This post is all about the signs Verbal bullying will Turn PHYSICAL so that you can be ready for when the bully attacks you.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Verbal Bullying

2. Physical Bullying Information: 5 Must-Know Secrets Bullies Don’t Want You to Know

3.  How to Deal with Physical Bullies

4. Non Verbal Bullying: Hostile Body Language Head to Toe

5. Examples of Non Verbal Bullying

invasion of personal space psychology

Invasion of Personal Space: 3 Ways to Respond to It

‘Want to know about invasion of personal space and different ways you can respond when bullies violate your personal space boundaries? Here is everything you need to know.

invasion of personal space

Bullies are notorious space invaders. They make it a point to get too close. And they do it deliberately to intimidate and challenge you. You don’t have to put up with it.

Therefore, in this post, you will learn about the invasion of personal space and how to stand up to it confidently

Once you learn all about this crucial information, you will be able to stand up to any bully who steps over your physical boundaries.

This post is all about the invasion of personal space, so that you can avoid being intimidated by it and assert your right to have your space.

Invasion of Personal Space

What are a few examples of bullies invading your personal space? If you are a victim of bullying, bullies will get in your face or stand too close behind you. Sometimes, they will stand so close that their bodies are touching yours.

Again, bullies will purposefully crowd you and there are reasons they do this.

Zone Distances

People practice different zone distances based on the relationships they have with the people in the room around them. Here are 4 zone distances you need to be aware of.

1. Intimate Zone – (6-18 inches)

This distance between people is reserved for lovers, family, close friends, and pets. However, bullies will step into your intimate zone to intimidate you, or when they are about to attack you.

Anytime someone we don’t know, don’t trust, or don’t like moves into this area, they are too close. As a result, our minds and bodies automatically go into fight, flight, or freeze mode.

Some bullies may also invade your intimate area to toy with you and get you to react, then step back and laugh at your reaction. Therefore, call the bully out. Let them know that they are in your personal space and that what they’re doing isn’t acceptable.

2. Invasion of Personal Space:

Personal Zone – (18-48 inches)

We stand this far apart at parties and social gatherings. If bullies stand in the personal zone, they are still too close. Don’t be afraid to tell them in no uncertain terms to back the hell up!

3. Social Zone – (4-12 feet)

We stand this distance from strangers, clerks, and delivery people. Bullies will easily be able to get away with standing at these distances from you. Therefore, you might not want to react if you don’t want to look like you have paranoia or like you’re unstable.

However, you can keep a close eye on your bully just in case they try to move in closer.

4. Public Zone – (Over 12 feet)

We stand at these distances when speaking publicly in front of an audience. Bullies can freely stand this far away from you and not look conspicuous or threatening.

(Zone distances- “The Definitive Book of Body Language,” Allan and Barbara Pease – pp. 194-195; 2004)

Invasion of Personal Space:

Ways Bullies Invade Your Personal Zone

1. They’ll get in your face.

They do this by getting nose-to-nose with you. I want you to understand that bullies do this deliberately to intimidate and challenge you. Also, bullies may do this to dare you to hit them first.

Therefore, haul off and deck this person with every ounce of strength you have! This may sound old school or even barbaric to some people. However, understand that there is no “nice” way to handle it when someone gets in your face. Bullies don’t respond to politeness or diplomacy. They only respond to strength and power.

Therefore, don’t be afraid to knock the hell out of anyone who gets in your face. Because you can best believe that if a bully gets in your face, their next move will be to put their hands on you.

2. They’ll Stand too close behind you.

Bullies will walk up behind you and stand way too close. Moreover, they’ll stand so close that the front of their bodies is actually touching your back. There’s a name for this type of move. It’s called looming.

Understand that bullies purposefully crowd you to either intimidate you, challenge you, or provoke you into a reaction. These violations are too blatant.

These individuals possess an unlimited audacity. They do not respect boundaries! With people who are bold and audacious, you must take a stand!

Never allow this type of behavior to go on. Why? Because they will only increase the behavior if you let them get away with it.

Again, understand that when the bully pulls these shenanigans, he is looking to fight. So, do what you have to do to teach this idiot a lesson they’ll never forget!

3. Invasion of Personal Space:

they’ll stand over you while you’re sitting down.

If you’re sitting, the bully or bullies will often stand over you to look bigger. They also do this to intimidate, challenge, or provoke you.

This is also a violation of your personal space. Moreover, it is a precursor to a physical attack. Therefore, you must beat them to it. Be quick about jumping up and knocking the holy hell out of them.

The only way to handle this type of bullying is to make them never want to try it again!

Other Ways Bullies Violate Your Space.

1. Lay Claim to Your Territory.

Sitting in your chair, leaning on your car, etc.

Any chair we sit in or any object we lean on or touch, we non-verbally lay claim to. Just as a dog will mark its territory by peeing on the spot it claims as its own, people mark theirs by sitting, leaning, or touching the place or object they claim as theirs.

Leaning in the doorway of your office, room, or house.

Other ways bullies invade your territory are leaning in the doorway of your office, dorm room, or house. Bullies may also prop their feet on your desk or table, or even walk into your home without knocking or being invited inside!

The bully may also pick the victim’s notebook, purse off the victim’s desk, touch their property, etc.

Understand that anything of yours the bully touches, he is laying claim to. The unspoken message that the bully is sending is, “I own your desk, car, notebook, and anything that’s yours.

Hogging Public Space.

Bullies may walk in the center of a hallway. They may also sit on a flight of stairs, expecting people to move and go around them.

Bullies may also stand in the middle of a road or driveway. They may take their time crossing the street, forcing cars to stop and wait. They may also stand in the middle of a crowd or the center of a room.

Therefore, understand why bullies behave in this manner. They do them to inconvenience people and dare them to call them out.

2. Invasion of Personal Space:

Invasion of your privacy

Bullies will very carefully observe you. They will eavesdrop on your conversations and listen for intimate details. Why? So they can take the private information and spread it as juicy gossip, making you look bad.

They may also read your diary to find out your deepest, darkest secrets to spread them around and embarrass you. They will even follow you to see where you go and with whom you associate.

If you are a victim of bullying, understand that bullies do this on purpose. They invade your territory to intimidate, challenge, or dominate you.

Therefore, you must protect not only your physical and mental health from bullies but also your personal space and territory. Never be afraid to call the bully out if they violate either one!
The more you know, the better you can protect yourself against these personal space invaders.

3. Invasion of Personal Space:

Freely touching You or your property.

Touching You with a carefree attitude.

Bullies will often freely touch you because they have no regard for your personal space. For example, a bully may give you a hard slap on the back. They may grab you by the arm and lead you where they want you to go.

A bully may also physically move you out of the way or shove past you. Understand that the reason they do these things is to show you who’s in charge. The bully may also behave this way to signal ownership of you.

Yes, in the bully’s mind, he owns you. The message is, “You’re mine, I own you, and I can do what I want with you.”

Invasion of Personal Space:

Touching Your Personal Belongings.

Bullies also put their hands on your personal belongings with a carefree attitude. But know that the message the bully is sending is this. “I own you, so I own anything that is yours.”

For instance, bullies may approach your table during lunch. Then, they may pick a French fry off your plate and pop it in their mouths.

Or, they might pick up your fork and take a bite of their food. Bullies may also pick up your phone and begin scrolling through the contents.

If you’re a female, bullies will rummage through your purse. They may pick up your jacket and go through the pockets. The hidden message the bully is sending is, “I can take whatever I want, and what are you going to do about it?”

 They may also pick up your notebook, yearbook, or diary and start flipping through the pages. I know. The nerve! Right?

Never let anyone go through your shit and not say anything or do something! Why? Because if you ignore this, you’re sending the message that this is okay!

Here are 7 Ways to Respond when your bullies violate your space.

1. Call them out

For instance, if they get too close, tell them to back off. If they pick up your notebook or phone, tell them to put it back where they got it.

2. Invasion of Personal Space:

Give them a Hard Glare.

Whenever you call a bully out, do it while giving them a hard, cold stare, without blinking. Or, if the bully tries to stare you down, return the stare. Either look them in the eye or look them between the eyes.

If they look at you while standing feet apart and arms akimbo, reflect the exact same stance back to the bully. Mirror the bully to show that you’re not the least bit intimidated by them. You must establish the necessary boundaries.

3. Punch them in the face.

If the bully gets in your face, you have the right to punch their lights out. Why? Because they may be getting ready to attack you. Getting in your face or standing too close is considered hostile body language. It is threatening. Therefore, offense is the best defense.

Here are other ways you can set boundaries. If the bully is rushing you, slow down. Do not speed up! Remain calm.

Invasion of Personal Space:

In Closing

The most important thing you can ever do is set boundaries. Why? Because when you lack boundaries, no one will respect you. As a result, they will walk all over you. Remember that standing up to bullies is your responsibility, not someone else’s. Therefore, do what you have to do to hold your ground.

This post is all about THE invasion of personal SPACE so that you can recognize it and stand up to it.

Related posts you’ll enjoy:

1. Personal Space Boundaries: What to Do When Bullies Cross Them

2. How to Spot a Bully: 13 Must-Know Body-Language Examples

3. Hostile Body Language: 17 Signs Bullies Want to Get Physical

4. Threatening Body Language: 21 Hostile Cues to Never Ignore