Yes. Verbal abuse IS physical. Your body flinches just like someone is physically poised to attack you. You release the same hormones. Your digestion is temporarily stopped. Verbal abuse, any oppression really, lowers serotonin.

I let myself get run down by a mental health center, some of whose staff members do verbal abuseregularly, probably unaware. I became dimly aware of it. I told my therapist wonderingly, "they are verbally abusive and dont know It. They do the things Patricia Evans names. Its like embedded in their culture". Had I been just a little bit MORE aware i would have gone on Prozac sooner, to he more resilient against verbal abuse while sidestepping the more eggregious fukbrains.

Be aware now, please, for your own good. Get fortified with whatever makes you feel strong and powerful. Know that unlike a physical fight where you can block or evade hits, in a verbal skirmish every word uttered in that tone is a blow and every blow lands. Don't stand and box. You will wear down. Take this on as a real fight. You are more sensitive because you are a woman and we are relational people. He is less Sensitive because hes drunk and possibly a butthead. Forget being Fair. Win. No warnings. No threats. They make abusive mouths meaner. Get your plan and implement It.

Read Patricia Evans book on verbal abuse. Don't let him see It or try to explain It to him.

Take verbal abuse seriously.

When you replay his words in your head think of the most respectable decent dignified people you know from life, literature or movies, telling him with a perfectly serious face and not a shred of humor to shut up because he is a disgrace. Don't you tell him that. Shame makes them worse. Imagine It for yourself. Imagíne someone defending you, without polite words or humor or escalation.