When the word abuse is used, people mostly think about physical abuse, but there is also mental abuse. Mental abuse is when someone exposes another to behavior that may result in trauma. The ones most affected by mental abuse are children. The thought of any child being mentally abused is unpleasant, but it does happen, and often. Sometimes parents and legal guardians do not realize they are being abusive to the child or children. Mental abuse can be rejecting, isolating, exploiting, verbally assaulting, terrorizing, ignoring, and neglecting a child. Children who experience mental abuse can have developmental and learning delays, poor self-esteem, destructive behaviors, and even have effects into their adulthood. Child abuse is always devastating.