Hey guys. I have dealt with verbal and psychological abuse all my life from narcissistic parents. This has resulted in me having really low self esteem.

When I talk to bullies or assholes that verbally abuse me or give me shit, I have no clue how to respond and I "freeze up". What I mean by that is I become really tense, awkward, and don't know what to reply. I can't even fathom thinking of a witty reply to say to them and I look like a dumbass.

Wondering what I should do to overcome this? I've been lifting for the past month and a half now, so I'm feeling more confident in my own skin and I look way better, but bullies still shit all over me. I'm 18 and going to university soon and I still have no clue how to deal with assholes.

ALSO: I was thinking of applying the usual agree and amplify to casual disrespect/shit-testing, but whenever it's someone that says something that is extremely disrespectful and plain mean, I have no clue whatsoever on how to respond.

Thanks for reading.