Is it mental abuse if you and your spouse called each other names on one occasion?

Answer 1

No, it's not abuse if it's periodically. Everyone can get fed-up or angry at their mate and end up calling each other names out of pure frustration. If your spouse wasn't verbally abusive before and suddenly has become so, then it's possible they could have a medical problem and should see a doctor for an evaluation. Medications sometimes can alter a person's personality and they can actually become moody or even fly into periodic rages and also become paranoid (such as accusing you of stealing things you haven't stolen.) If you are in your 50s plus, then there is always the thought of Dementia. I went through this with my mother. We were close once, but suddenly she became very accusing and cranky to not only myself, but family and friends. All of us were perplexed and didn't even consider the fact it was the beginning of Dementia. It unfortunately estranged my mother and I for 15 or more years, and thankfully, when she was in her 80s she had to go to hospital and they evaluated her and found she had Dementia. She was given a good medication and was put into a nursing home as she needed constant care. Thankfully the medications brought her around to almost her old self and I thank God for that as we continued our relationship until she passed away almost a year later. If you are younger, then it's a possibility your spouse could be doing drugs. Some drugs are "laced" when sold on the street. It can cause paranoia, depression and violence towards others and even towards themselves. Marcy