What Does Emotional/Mental Abuse Of A Child Look Like

When you are in an emotionally abusive situation, it can be difficult to recognize. So, for a child in that situation, it would be just about impossible. It is especially difficult to recognize when it is just one of the abuses happening as a part of additional forms of abuse.

So, what is emotional abuse?

It's any form of abuse involving continued emotional mistreatment. Many people will refer to it as psychological abuse; the two are one and the same. It can involve any attempt to intentionally isolate, ignore, scare, or humiliate a child.

What Is Emotional Abuse?

Often, emotional abuse is part of a bigger abuse story, but that isn't always the case. Still, in those situations, emotional abuse can be difficult to recognize because of everything else going on in the child's life.

• Emotional abuse is constantly criticizing, tearing down, or humiliating a child.

• Emotional abuse is shouting at or threatening a child.

• It is calling a child names, making them the butt of jokes, or being sarcastic to hurt them.

• Emotional abuse is scapegoating or blaming a child.

• It is an inability to recognize a child's individuality and an attempt to control their lives.

• It is pushing a child too hard without recognizing their limitations.

• Emotional abuse also includes forcing a child to perform degrading acts.

• Emotional abuse is the failure the promote social development for a child. For example, preventing them from making or keeping friends.

• It is continuously ignoring them.

• Emotional abuse is exposing a child to traumatizing or upsetting situations, such as drug taking, sexually explicit material, or domestic violence.

• It is never showing emotions or discouraging a child from expressing their emotions.

• Emotional abuse can include manipulating a child into certain behavior.

The Telltale Signs

With physical or sexual abuse, there are often physical symptoms or signs that suggest abuse is taking place. But that isn't the case with emotional abuse, there are unlikely to be physical signs. Children may not speak up ever, but many do when they reach a crisis point.

Emotions change as children grow and develop, which can make the detection of emotional abuse difficult. However, there are certain signs to look out for.

• A lack of confidence or a desperate need for self-assurance.

• An inability to control or regulate their emotions.

• A difficulty in making friends and building relationships.

• Act out in inappropriate ways for their age.

Additionally, there are certain signs to be mindful of for children at different age levels. So, if you are looking for signs of emotional abuse in a baby or toddler:

• Anxious, wary, or a lack of confidence.

• No indication they have a close bond with their parent(s).

• Are aggressive/cruel with animals or other children.

• Are overly affectionate with people they don't know well or at all.

With older children, there are additional signs to be aware of.

• The use of language that a child their age shouldn't know.

• They display behavior or actions that a child their age shouldn't know.

• A struggle to manage their emotions.

• A lack of social skills.

• Prone to extreme outbursts or mood swings.

• Isolated from parents.

• They have no friends, or very few.

High-Risk Factors

Ultimately, any child could be at risk for emotional abuse. However, certain children are at greater risk.

Children in homes with ongoing domestic issues are at higher risk. Even stable families can devolve into situations of emotional abuse under extreme pressure. For example, if parents are going through relationship problems, dealing with a child with problems, family arguments, mental health issues, unemployment, financial issues, or poverty. Additionally, in a home where domestic abuse is present or there are substance abuse issues, emotional abuse is far more likely.

Whether you are an adult who suffered emotional abuse as a child or you suspect a child you know is experiencing emotional child abuse, it's important to take the right steps. For the victim, it's important to receive professional therapy to work through the pain of the experience. Learning how to properly process emotions is one of the most important first steps to unpacking any form of abuse.