From your description, it sounds like he has some excessive rage, and I wonder, since he bulked up for football--is it possible he's taking steroids? I mean, I know it's not super common, but I've heard that this can happen with some players and it makes them act in ways that they normally wouldn't.

This probably isn't the case, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Good luck dealing with this.

Have you tried making a simple statement about how what he's doing makes you feel? Not a statement in a way that judges him, but a statement that points out his actions and your reaction. For example, if he says, "You're a beast," you could say something like, "When you say that, I feel like crying (or, I feel sad, or I feel like I want to just avoid being around you, whatever you feel)." Then, don't argue with him any more, even if he tries to blame you or turn it around on you and make you feel like you shouldn't feel that way. You have a right to your feelings, and you're simply stating what they are. I don't care what he says; how you feel is how you feel. If he says that you're thin-skinned or should lose weight and then you wouldn't feel like that, don't respond. Maybe just walk away. You've told him what he's doing to you, and you can't control how he acts toward you, just as he can't control how you act toward him. So, the way he treats you is a choice, but you're making it an informed choice.

The reason I say this is because he's your brother. This isn't a friend you can get rid of or a boyfriend you can leave or whatever. You theoretically have many years around each other, unless you decide you don't want to put up with him as adults. And, by the time you've decided that if it comes to it, he'll know how he's made you feel all along, and it won't be a surprise to him.

I'm sorry your family isn't more supportive. Good luck.

Originally Posted by MissK:
It's gotten to the point where I've finally gotten fed up with his bs in calling me names so I've slapped him in the arm. I had said stop enough times to make me puke, so it was a version of just stop already jerk. He wound up beating me up and my mother decided that it was my fault. Lovely?

Yes, this is scary.

Originally Posted by Ufi:
The reason I say this is because he's your brother. This isn't a friend you can get rid of or a boyfriend you can leave or whatever. You theoretically have many years around each other, unless you decide you don't want to put up with him as adults. And, by the time you've decided that if it comes to it, he'll know how he's made you feel all along, and it won't be a surprise to him.

I'm sorry your family isn't more supportive. Good luck.

I've seen terrible things happen in many families. You can't always count on family for support. But friends.... you can choose your friends.

He's bullying you because he knows it gets to you.

When I was in middle school, the kids were merciless. I'd reply, but only say half of what I was thinking. For instance...

Him: You're fat.
You: I know...[you're an *******.]

Him: You're a beast.
You: I know...[you look just like me too. Yay genetics.]

Him: You're ugly and no one will love you.
You: I know...[you will be jobless, divorced four times and living in a box by the time you're 30.]

It always helped me. They'd be thrown off, because they'd expect a fight, not agreement.

You don't need anyone negative in your life. I also made the choice of taking the people who were negative to me and my family out of my life. Don't need them. Will get along just fine without their drama and negativity. Wish you luck.

Thank you for all the advice!
Etudes, Thank you. I needed the laugh and it's really a good idea.

pretend that you don't hear him, i don't know of a loud mouth that keeps talking for long if no one is listening.. it might take a while but if ignore he'll loose the fun of seeing you upset,