There are not many feelings worse than when someone puts you down, insults you, or invalidates you. And a put-down from your own spouse is like a straight-up punch to the psyche. It’s amazing how easy it is to hurt the ones we love the most with our words, but what do you do if you are the one on the receiving end of the verbal blows?
This issue has a certain level of complexity to it, which means we have to approach it with care. Many spouses deliver verbal shots and put-downs to their spouse, unaware of the harm it’s doing. This is Situation A.
Others are well aware and intentional with the harm. This is Situation B, and this is abuse.
Let me be clear about Situation B right off the bat: If you are experiencing an abusive situation where someone is physically harming you, you need to seek help. Use the hotline number at the bottom of this article.
You also need to understand that certain situations of verbal/emotional put-downs may be verbal abuse, and often accompany (or are a precursor to) physical abuse. (See the Power and Control Wheel below.)
Healthline gives some red flags to the characteristics of verbal abuse:
- They insult you or attempt to humiliate you, but then they accuse you of being overly-sensitive.
- They yell or scream at you frequently.
- The person plays the victim while they try to make you feel guilty. (“I wouldn’t have to scream at you if you didn’t…”)
- They get in your personal space as an act of intimidation or try to block you from moving away.
- They gaslight you—this means they manipulate you into questioning your own version of events in order to gain more power. For example, they may convince you to doubt your memory of them saying or doing something violent or try to convince you you’re crazy.
- They hit the wall or throw things.
- They want credit for not having hit you.
Sincerely ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I believe my spouse is putting me down with the intention to harm me, wear me down, or manipulate me?
- Do I think there is a possibility the verbal attacks could lead to physical violence?
- If I were to voice my concerns for how they talk to me, is there any fear that they would react with a heated backlash?
Unless you can answer each of these questions with a confident no, these are strong indicators of verbal/emotional abuse and warning signals for possible physical abuse. Do not confront your spouse. Go somewhere safe and seek help.
Let’s talk about Situation A.
Your spouse puts you down but they are unaware of how it’s making you feel. They are being careless with the words they use toward you—perhaps in front of the kids. But despite the unintentionality of what they say, you still feel devalued. It’s time to let them know how you feel.
- Approach your spouse to talk at a strategic time. Ask them if this is a good time to talk. And if it’s not, arrange a time, preferably within the next 24 hours. Don’t bring up your feelings right after they say something hateful; your emotions will be dialed up, and you want to be calm and able to think clearly when you talk. Choose a time when neither of you are tired or in a bad mood.
- Start on a good note. Marriage researcher Dr. John Gottman suggests opening difficult conversations with a positive. Begin the conversation with something you appreciate about your spouse. Say something like, “I know that you love me and the kids and that you’d do anything for your family.” Or, “I appreciate how hard you work to provide and take care of us.”
- Be specific about what you hear and how you feel. Make good use of “I” messages. For instance, “There have been many times when I’ve felt really undervalued and unloved when you’ve said certain things to me.” Name your feelings—beforehand, jot down some specific words that describe how it feels when your spouse puts you down. If it happens in front of your kids or other people, point out that it feels embarrassing or shameful. Err on the assumption that your spouse has been unaware of how they’ve made you feel. You may have to give them an example of what they’ve said. Describe the last incident and the effect it had on you. Avoid giving a laundry list of all the past wrongs they’ve done to you, though.
- Use a code word or sign. The point of addressing this with your spouse is help them be aware that they are putting you down and the negative effect it has on your feelings. Establishing some kind of code word or a non-verbal signal can subtly express to them, “You’re being degrading and ridiculing right now, and you need to dial it down.” This is especially helpful in front of the kids or in social situations. For instance, whenever you respond with “Oh, honey…” or you nonchalantly touch your earlobe, you can discreetly and calmly express to your spouse how they’re making you feel at the moment.
- Set boundaries. Let your spouse know that if they continue to ignore warning signs and keep putting you down, you’ll simply leave the room when they say something disparaging. Don’t threaten your spouse with divorce or the withdrawal of sex (although you probably won’t exactly feel “in the mood” after being put down). You set up boundaries to protect yourself, not punish others.
- Check your own thoughts and words. I mention this last step with a great deal of care, and I encourage you to approach it with humility and thoughtfulness. I have talked with many individuals who have felt insulted by others close to them; however, sometimes there was something within their own personality that colored the situation. Many were highly sensitive to remarks that weren’t overtly insulting, but they heard them through the filter of past negative experiences.
For instance, one person interpreted an invitation to exercise together as an affront to their weight, an issue to which they felt particularly sensitive. Others that I’ve talked to were offended by another’s insults, but had no problem being equally insulting toward that person. Part of the process of working through this is to consider what may be going on inside you that could exacerbate these feelings. Ask yourself: Are the words I hear from my spouse truly insensitive put-downs, or is there something inside me that makes me overly-sensitive to their words? And, are there ways that I put my spouse down without me noticing it?
Marriage cannot thrive in an environment of disrespect and insults. And no one deserves to be put down by their spouse. The above steps are a process that may take time before you see real change. There’s a chance that other things are going on under the surface of insults and put-downs being hurled your direction. If these problems persist after taking the above steps, ask your spouse to seek help with you through couples counseling. If they resist, seek professional help on your own. ☆ Sometimes it takes one person in the marriage to lead the charge toward getting help and improving the relationship before the other catches on.
***If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, contact the National Hotline for Domestic Abuse. At this link, you can access a private chat with someone who can help you 24/7. If you fear that someone is monitoring your computer or device, call the hotline 24/7 at: 1−800−799−7233. For a clear understanding of what defines an abusive relationship, click here.***
What to do ; I am definitely in the red flag zone. My husband is a master with words . He’s trying real hard to blame everything I mean everything on me. He financially doesn’t look after me . Had a breakdown already and he calls me insane ,schizophrenic etc. this has been going on for years. He will not listen to anybody, he’s above all that Help
Hello Ellen,
I’m in the exact same situation. My husband doesn’t support me financially I attend college and use his g.I bill and he takes it. Because he pays mortgage and I have to contribute. Yet I pay utilities, cell phone bills, vehicle insurance and home internet. I’m here today on these readings because I’m in the kitchen preparing breakfast and I have no idea what sparked the cutdown I was having a fantastic morning but he said you’re just not like cutesy or anything you’re more manly when you’re mad and you don’t dress up. Which is true but let’s get to the causes, I have no money for clothes, the shoes I have I have had for 5 plus years, and then I’m continuously put down and I truly can’t recall anything positive from this man in the past 13 years. Yet I have heard him yelling at me that his ex wife would always be cuter than me. Again probably true. But who wants to be told that? and why did we get married? I’m left with 13 wasted years, no money, regrets and depressed all the time. My husband has a cook, maid service and a person who gave him children and he paid for Bosley hair restoration 12,000.00. Monthly supplements and clothing, workout equipment and basic needs. I get to work and do schooling and don’t get to see family or friends. I pay insurance yet can’t leave the house unless he drives me. I have never cheated or been out to clubs. I don’t do party lifestyles. I use to enjoy getting my nails done, tanning, hair done and lunch with my mom or friends at times and I have done nothing of the sort in 4 years. I want to do the godly right thing and I’m not sure how and still keep my sanity
fits my wife she’s a blamer- some examples she backed out the car yesterday and I said ” you were close to hitting the edge of the garage” her reply I can’t do it well when you’re watching. (2) she asked me to grab her work laptop and place in on a table – I asked if she wanted it plugged in she says sure I asked which side. She gives the sarcastic – can’t you tell by how the cord is laid out on the table? (3) she’s driving my truck and wants to use the cruise control – she asks me where it is I tell her she says how does it work – I say I don’t know I don’t like to use it – Immediately didn’t you check this out, do we need to take it in for service, it better be under warranty – 15 seconds later – she figures it out and says I got it. When she does this I just don’t want to be by her.
I love how when I come to read this online it assumes the man is the perpetrator.
I don’t even know where to begin with my husband. He does meth from time to time along with his mother which I am not at all ok with. Yet he can be so fun to be with and is just such a goofy and happy person. I think he really is too far gone for our marriage to be saved though. He acts like he has these 2 entities attached to himself which I don’t believe. I believe it’s just a way for him to insult and belittle me which he used to accuse me of. I believe he actually believes I’m the bad one and his mother helped convince him of it. I just feel empty without him. He has been out doing doordash with her all day. He hasn’t had a home for us in 5 and a half years. The place they stay at is 30 minutes away and I only get to talk to him for probably not even 10 minutes when it sounds like they’re just having a great time and this will make day 4 I haven’t even seen him if I don’t. I just feel so lost. I love him dearly
My wife gets drunk and tells me I’m a failure, going to die alone etc. Makes me feel wonderful. Ah I got she’s tired of me last weekend and then I caught her texting in appropriately with someone. I’m pretty much done and shut down at this point. Grew up with my father tellling me im a waste of space, life etc, so getting it from my wife is pretty devastating.
You are not unworthy.
My spouse insults me multiple times a day – whore, fat, ugly, stupid – then I struggle to keep calm and go to my job as an ER nurse. No one knows. He raises his fists in my face, chastizes , criticizes and on it goes.
I have pets but financially it would be hard on my own. Nevertheless the less I never stop thinking about how to escape.
What makes me so sad is that I am a kind and educated person and this is what my life has come to. It profoundly depresses me.
He is also a bona fide alcoholic and personality disorder. He lies all the time . I am saving to buy a used camper that I can live in.
We are so sad for your experiences. No one deserves to deal with that level of emotional and mental abuse as well as physical threats. We understand that leaving is not always as easy as it seems. Many cities have a Family Justice Center which may be a good option for you. Normally, they can help you address the emotional effects and help you consider and prepare for whatever you decide is your best option. We’d like to encourage you to explore options like an FJC to help you address and heal from these experiences.