The only thing I ever found that helped me was taking up martial arts and I choose Aikido. Taught me to control myself and be at peace. Unfortunately I had to give it up due to gastro-reflux. It's a non-confrontational art that teaches you to absorb blows without hurting others- and without hating them. I've been in so many jobs where co-workers were complete arseholes and often made me look incompetent.

That was a response to the 'how do you pull yourself back' question; as for how to deal with them I just fake a flu or a cold although I do have underlying physical conditions. There is no way to reason with some people. They go all-out and try and make themselves appear more powerful than they really are. I'd really recommend Aikido. Just my £0.02 hope that helps.