It's really difficult. The most important thing to remember is that their behavior, comments, attitudes, whatever, aren't affected by *you.* There is zero you can do to improve their behavior. Even if you did everything perfectly as they would have wanted it to be, they will still be angry because they need to be angry to function. It's a really difficult thing to remember. We have the tendency to think that others are rational, therefore if they are treating us in a certain way it is surely because we did something to earn it. With normal people this would be true. But with toxic people, they are in a pit of misery and need constant outlets for their overflow. Any excuse will do. They tripped? You're insufferable because you asked if they're ok. Clearly you're criticizing them because they're an adult and of course they're ok. You think a call dropped but they are too busy being annoyed that you're even on the phone, you ask if they're still there, and they snap at you as if you're unreasonable to verify the call didn't drop. It's a constant, abusive system of: you are always the problem. Try to address it and you get gas lighted. There are times where you don't have a choice in dealing with these people. I'm sorry you found yourself in this situation. Mentally, I just keep busy and away from interaction as much as possible. I make sure I find satisfaction and achievement to offset the feeling of constant failure when dealing with this kind of person. It's extremely eroding, it kills the soul. Like a vampire. It has been a lot easier since I gave God the problem, but it is still difficult.