WTBH; you go girl as a male that use to be a disgusting ******* that had no problem using verbal abuse to cause unmeasurable pain to my wife or girlfriend. I rarely got physical because I was raised to never hit woman. But since I was a victim of verbal abuse it became my weapon of choice and don't ever let anyone try to convince you that it doesn't hurt no matter what you do it is a double edge sword and it cuts deeper than a closed fist. It sounds to me that he likes to push your buttons and he knows what does and doesn't work. You are right it is tough to resist but so far you are learning, keep up the good work and don't hesitate to post and vent your feelings and pain here. That's what SR is for support.