Always take what sounds like a threat seriously

The Overwhelmed Brain | Stress | Anxiety | Relationship | Critical Thinking | Emotional Intelligence Like Tony Robbins Oprah by Paul Colaianni: Emotional Abuse and Relationship Expert

People who threaten, belittle, or use "jokes" about violence are practicing control, and they will gaslight you into submission if you don't take their threats or "jokes" seriously. Don't reward coercion with compliance.