All abuse causes mental abuse.....there is verbal abuse and physical abuse. I was in a verbally abusive marriage for 31 years.I finally got a divorce.The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans saved my life. Verbal abuse is brainwashing, that is why you question your sanity. Abusers are insecure and will say and do...anything to get control over you. You can go online and look up verbal abuse; there is a wealth of information there. You are NOT overreacting. This kind of abuse is also called "gaslighting." Verbal abuse is also called "crazy-making behavior (Patricia Evans book). Abusers want and need you to continually explain yourself. If you feel you must respond, you can say....oh, I see, that is what you think.