Emotional child abuse is a form of mistreatment that involves the use of words, actions, or inactions to cause harm to a child’s emotional well-being. It is often referred to as psychological or mental abuse and can have long-lasting effects on a child’s mental health and development.
Emotional child abuse can take many different forms, including verbal abuse, such as yelling, screaming, and belittling; emotional neglect, such as failing to provide emotional support, comfort, or guidance; and isolation, such as preventing a child from interacting with others or having normal social experiences. Other forms of emotional abuse can include rejecting, withholding love or affection, and threatening or terrorizing a child.
Emotional abuse can have a wide range of effects on a child’s mental health and development, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and developmental delays. Children who are emotionally abused may also have difficulty forming healthy relationships, and may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors as they get older.
It is important for healthcare providers and other professionals who work with children to be aware of the signs of emotional child abuse and to take appropriate steps to protect the child. This may involve reporting suspected abuse to child protective services, providing medical care and counseling to the child, and offering support and resources to help the child and their family recover.
