Signs, symptoms and impact of emotional abuse

Indicators of emotional abuse

• Physical• Behavioral• Adult behavior

towards abused child

Physical signs and symptoms

• Bed-wetting or bed soiling • Unattended medical needs • Frequent complaints of

headaches, nausea, abdominal pains

• Dirty, worn out clothes, different attire from other members of the family

• Has deprived physical living conditions and is dressed differently compared with other

children in the family

Behavioral signs and symptoms

• Severe developmental gaps • Severe symptoms of

depression, anxiety, withdrawal or aggression, self destructive behavior

• Overly compliant; too well-mannered; too neat and clean

• Displays attention seeking behaviors or extreme inhibition in play

• Displays negative behavior and language used at home

Adult behavior • Verbal humiliation, calls the

child names, humiliates child • Continually yells at the child

and threatens the child with physical harm

• Has unrealistic expectations of the child

• Keeps the child at home or sends him to earn money

• Ignores or fails to protect the child

• Forces the child to witness physical harm inflicted on a loved one

Impact of emotional abuse

Emotional problems• low self esteem• depression• lack of empathy• withdrawal

Behavioral problems• difficulties in forming and

maintaining relationships• poor social skills• aggression

Impact of emotional abuse Cont…

Intellectual and cognitive delays• Delays in school • Poor development in basic

skills such as reading, writing• Poor self help skills

Physical development delays• Child fails to thrive• Medical problems

References• www.slideshare.net• http://researchingreform.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/crying-

child.jpg• http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3250224/child_crying_on_steps_1793250.jpg• http://malecodependence.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/rejected_chil

d_crying.jpg• https://ssofdv.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/sad-bullied-girl1.jpg• http://z-photo.de/alte_version/image/child-abuse-neglect-central-

registry-765.jpg• http://jdstockholm.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/child-abuse-

awareness-october-6th.gif?w=545• http://happinessisnotadisease.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/crying-

child.jpg