Aggressive means "likely to attack", according to the Encarta Dictionary. Do you know anyone who behaves aggressively? I have some relatives who do. In fact, my own mother was a very aggressive person who often verbally and sometimes physically attacked her husband and her children.
In my early adult years I came to realize that my mother was severely depressed. I believe it is her depression which also accounted for her aggression. I recently read an article which appears to support my belief. According to the article we can receive a dopamine release as a result of aggressive behavior, thus encouraging aggression in some individuals. It's hard to accept that attacking her children caused my mom to feel better in some way. You can read the article from Fox News here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323489,00.html Let me know if you reach similar conclusions to mine.
I know that relationships are important to all of us but we need to get away from those who treat us in an aggressive manner. It seems to me their brain is rewarding them for bad behavior and therefore are most unlikely to stop without the proper medical help. As children, we couldn't protect ourselves from aggressors but as adults we can. Walk away from aggressive people and don't let them have that dopamine reward at your expense. Hopefully the aggressors will seek help eventually and learn to receive the dopamine they need from prescription medication and a doctor's help rather than attacking others.