Is the persistent emotional ill treatment of an adult/child so as to cause severe and adverse effects on an adult/child’s emotional development. It may involve: conveying to adults/children that they are worthless or unloved; that they are inadequate or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person; age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on adults/children; causing adults/children frequently to feel frightened; or the exploitation or corruption of adults/children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a adult/child, though it may also occur alone.
Signs of emotional abuse
Physical, mental and emotional development is delayed
Highly anxious
Showing delayed speech or sudden speech disorder
Fear of new situations
Low self-esteem
Inappropriate emotional responses to painful situations
Extremes of passivity or aggression
Drug or alcohol abuse
Chronic running away
Compulsive stealing
Obsessions or phobias
Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration
Attention-seeking behavior
Persistent tiredness
Lying