Effects of Emotional Abuse Essay example

Emotional child abuse is a pattern of behaviour that attacks a child's emotional development and their overall sense of well-being. This can include excessive or aggressive and unreasonable demands that can put expectations on a child beyond that of their capability. For example, three-year olds cannot be expected to be able to sit quietly for an extended period of time, due to the fact that they just simply do not have the physical control of their bodies yet. However still, you would find many parents placing this unrealistic expectation on a young child, only to end up getting frustrated due to the lack of the child's compliance.

Abuse can have many different meanings, there is one in particular that takes control in many Americans relationship, “physical maltreatment” (Abuse). Sadly there is an increasing amount of young adults going through an abusive relationship or were in one. Many of the people that become abusers consider violence as a normal behavior because they have witnessed it on a daily basis. They than begin to mistreat everyone that comes in his or her way. An abuser is frequently interested in controlling their victims. An abuser’s behavior is usually manipulating, in order to make their victims

This research is to distinguish whether the children, who are exposed to violence or abuse, if left unaddressed or ignored, are at an increased risk for emotional and behavioral problems in the future. Children who are abused may not be able to express their feelings safely and as a result, may develop difficulties regulating their emotions. As adults, they may continue to struggle with their feelings, which can

It is said to believe that abuse occurs in the lives of 3.5 million women in the nation every year (Kelly). There are many different forms of abuse, but they can all take an emotional and physical effect on anyone. Most people who are being affected by abuse are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (Kelly). There are a lot of different treatment options that people who are being abused can take but sometimes they may not feel very comfortable in the treatment that they are receiving

Emotional/psychological abuse may involve threats or actions to cause mental or physical harm; humiliation; voilation

There are significant signs of psychological trauma due to any kind of abuse. Children experience feelings of low self esteem and depression. Many exhibit behavioral problems including aggression towards other children. Other emotional problems include hostility, fear, humiliation and the inability to express feelings. The social impacts of physical abuse include inability to form relationships, poor social skills, poor cognitive language skills, distrust of others, over-compliance with authority figures, and tendency to solve interpersonal problems with aggression. (2008, p. 1). Verbal and physical abuse has a cumulative impact on children’s socialization. Abused children are caught in damaged relationships and are not socialized in positive, supportive way (Craig & Dunn, Ex.: 2010, p. 196). They learn defiance, manipulation and other problem behaviors that are used to escape any maltreatment. In turn they will learn to exploit, degrade and terrorize.

“Emotional abuse is the most common form of abuse – and yet least talked about” (Munro, 2011). Studies have shown that regardless of country of residency, native language, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious belief or economic status, emotional abuse is often seen as an “acceptable form of communication” (Munro, 2011) and in many cases, normal. But as mental health professions, we know this is not the case, and it often breaks our hearts to see another human being suffer especially when we are unable to convince our clients to leave their abuser.

Emotional abuse may include screaming, yelling, biting, name-calling, lack of love/affection, and so on. Children may be emotionally scarred when the y are labeled as stupid, ugly, crazy, or unwanted. Emotional abuse includes acts of omission by the child’s primary caregivers that could cause behavioral, emotional, or mental disorders. In some cases of emotional abuse the child’s caregiver may use excessive and bizarre forms of punishment like torture, or locking a child in a dark closet. These things emphasize the need for the intervention of The Child Protective Services.

Also, a core feeling of “worthlessness” because they were repeatedly told that they are stupid or no good, in adulthood, they begin neglecting their education, and settle for lower paying jobs because they think they aren’t worth more. They also have trouble regulating their feelings. Often coming out in unexpected ways because. As adults, the abused, struggle with unexplained anxiety, depression, and anger. The depression can ultimately end in suicide (www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect.htm).

Abuse may affect the ability of children to start relationships due to the lack of trust in other people, especially adults (Barnett et al., 2011). Children who are abused may not inform any adult, such as teachers, doctors, the police, or people of authority as they may view all adults as conniving or deceitful. Child abuse victims may likewise experience emotional problems. For instance, they may not be able to express themselves in healthy ways (Barnett et al., 2011, p.160). Some victims of child abuse may either be so silent owing to fears of rejection or be deviant and aggressive enough to bully other children (Barnett et al., 2011, p.160).

Emotional abuse can be inflicted upon a child in many different ways; these can include telling a child that they are “worthless or unloved”. It may also include not allowing the child opportunities to express themselves, or teasing them about the way in which they communicate or what they say.

It is important to know about abuse and can recognize the signs of abuse so we can keep our self, family, friends and everyone we see in this life away from this bad feeling, there are many kinds of abuse like child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, Physical Abuse…etc.

The effects of any type of abuse are appalling and need to end due to the serious risks for anyone that’s involved. It would be in society’s best interest to acquire knowledge on the different types of abuse and the signs. To understand the effects and dangers that come from abuse. Most importantly, recognize what options for assistance are available to those that are being affected by abuse in this day in age versus the

However, all forms of child abuse carry emotional consequences because the child's psychological and emotional development inevitably suffers from all forms of abuse. An intervention model that would focus on emotional abuse could also focus on preventing other forms of abuse because violent behavior towards children often comes from the same underlying causes, and most risk factors for child maltreatment are associated with caregiver, family, and environmental factors (McDonald, 2007). With this in mind, a possible solution would have to include early detection, but the intervention would most likely focus on factors that cause all types of child abuse. Despite the widespread occurrences of all forms of abuse, emotional neglect or maltreatment are practically impossible to detect while they occur and impair the child's normal development and social integration. Emotional abuse includes includes verbal, mental, and psychological maltreatment of children, and it is frequently overlooked by the community and mental health professionals who do not define emotional abuse as a suitable factor for diagnostic purposes (as cited in Schneider, Baumrind, & Kimerling, 2007). In reality, emotional abuse is frequently used in many families, it occurs in several worldwide cultures, and it carries significant consequences that should not be overlooked.

In many instances, when someone hears the word abuse, they think of physical abuse. The fact is psychological, also known as emotional, abuse is the most prevalent form of abuse. Having witnessed individuals that are close to me subject themselves to this type of abuse in a relationship and remain in it, I was curious to know more about the effects of psychological abuse. I asked myself questions like what is it? Why do people abuse others this way? Who can be effected? What are the long term effects of being abused? My goal is to be able to sympathize with those who are experiencing psychological abuse and ultimately find a way to lead them to help.