Children may state that they are suffering emotional abuse or mistreatment, however, they will not do it orally as an adult can manifest and they may not be able to interpret said abuse themselves, although they may feel it and feel the damage that produces, for this there are a series of signs that a child who suffers emotional abuse can manifest.

What is emotional and psychological abuse in children?

Emotional and psychological abuse in children is defined as behaviors, speech, and actions of parents, caregivers, or other important figures in a child’s life that have a negative mental impact on the child.

Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that is capable of affecting a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.

Examples of emotional abuse include:

  • To insult
  • Call by nicknames
  • Threaten violently (even without carrying out the threats)
  • Allowing children to witness the physical or emotional abuse of another person
  • Withhold love, support, or guidance

It is very difficult to know what the incidence of child emotional abuse is. There is a wide range of behaviors that can be considered abusive , and it is thought that all forms of abuse are not reported as they should.

Childhelp estimates that each year in the United States, more than 6.6 million children are involved in referrals to state Child Protective Services (CPS). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014, the CPS confirmed that more than 702,000 children had been abused or abandoned.

Child abuse happens in all kinds of families. However, reported abuse appears to be more common in families that:

  • Have financial difficulties
  • They deal with single parenthood
  • Are experiencing (or have experienced) a divorce
  • They struggle with substance abuse problems

What are the signs of childhood emotional abuse?

Signs of emotional abuse in a child can include:

  • Being afraid of a parent
  • Express that they hate a father
  • Talk bad about themselves (like saying, “I’m stupid”)
  • Appear emotionally immature compared to peers
  • Exhibiting sudden changes in speech (such as stuttering)
  • Experiencing a sudden change in behavior (such as performing poorly in school)

Signs of abuse shown by a parent or caregiver include:

  • Show little or no consideration for the child
  • Badmouth the child
  • Not having contact or touching the child with affection
  • Not attending to the child’s medical needs

Who should I notify?

Some forms of abuse, such as yelling, may not be immediately dangerous. However, other ways, such as allowing children to use drugs, can be instantly harmful . If you have any reason to believe that you or a child you know is in danger, call 911 immediately.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional abuse, contact your local departments of children or family services. Ask to speak to a counselor. Many family services departments allow callers to report suspected abuse anonymously.

If a family service agency cannot be reached, ask someone you trust for help, like a teacher, family member, or doctor.

You may be able to help a worried family by offering to babysit or run errands. However, do not put yourself at risk or do anything that increases the risk of abuse to the child .

If you are concerned about what may happen to the child’s parents or caregivers, remember that seeking help is the best way to show them that you care about them.

What can I do if I think I could harm my child?

Even the best parents can at some point yell at their children or use strong words in times of stress. That is not necessarily abusive. However, you should consider calling a counselor if you are concerned about your behavior.

Parenting is the most difficult and important job you will ever do . Find the resources to get it right. For example, change your behavior if you regularly use alcohol or illegal drugs. These habits can affect how well you take care of your children.

By Dr. Eric Jackson

Dr. Eric Jackson provides primary Internal Medicine care for men and women and treats patients with bone and mineral diseases, diabetes, heart conditions, and other chronic illnesses. He is a Washington University Bone Health Program physician and is a certified Bone Densitometrist. Dr. Avery is consistently recognized in "The Best Doctors in America" list.

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