It took my ex less than six months into our relationship to lay his hand on me. Early on, he used to take my hand and crack every knuckle on it, even the ones that he knew would hurt.

Anger underlies, motivates, and perpetuates verbally and physically abusive behavior.

Today, I want to remind you that any form of psychological or verbal abuse will inevitably lead to physical violence. According to the book called “Verbally Abusive Relationship” by Patricia Evans, the following stands true:

· Most verbal abusers are filled with inner tension, which they periodically and unpredictably release with angry outbursts directed at their partners.

· The cycle of anger addiction and the abuser who follows this pattern of behavior an anger addict.

· The cycle, however, is neither regular, nor predictable.

· The intensity of the angry outbursts also varies.

· If the abuser drinks, alcohol may play a part: alcohol does not make him angrier so much as it makes him feel freer to vent his anger.

· There abuser gets rewarded via: 1) experiencing an euphoric high from releasing his inner tension (anger) at his partner; 2) reasserting his dominance.

There is nothing that the abuser’s partner can do or say to prevent an angry outburst.