How to Stop Fighting Step #2 Overcoming the Hurt -- Replacing Humiliation with Respect

Option C. Politely tell the other person how their attacks made you feel.

If you stand up for yourself by yelling or acting angry, you are likely to further escalate the situation.

But if you calmly and politely explain how you feel, you can increase the likelihood that the other person will understand your feelings and respond in a positive and supportive way.

This is done with I-messages and other forms of de-escalatory language.

To learn more, read an article on de-escalatory language or I-messages.