Verbal abusers are emotional vampires....they want and need you to respond to their abusive words. You can never make a point, and they do not care what you think or feel.. Once you know their "secret" you can protect yourself by not responding. In other words, you can say.....If you choose to speak to me abusively (abuse is always a choice) we will not have a conversation. No further words...they will want to continue to argue and explain.....ignore.