Emotional Abuse Case Study

The statistics of mental abuse are quite shocking to many. "One in fourteen children have experienced emotional abuse by a parent or guardian" ("Mental Abuse," 2017). More children than was initially thought are forced to live through the trauma of mental abuse, causing shockingly high numbers in the statistics of children involved in mental abuse cases. "Over 19,000 children were identified as needing protection from emotional abuse last year" ("Mental Abuse," 2017). Emotional abuse is a serious problem that no one seems to pay much attention to but it is an issue that definitely requires awareness. "The [National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]'s helpline responded to over 7,100 contacts about emotional abuse last year"

"When that environment is hostile or socially unhealthy, development of the brain is affected, and often it is impaired" (Feilds, 2010). The short term effects of emotional abuse can be physically harming especially to young children, the stress can cause heart problems and other health obstructions. "The other factor that makes emotional abuse so devastating is the greater likelihood that victims will blame themselves" (Stosny, 2008). They often blame themselves and this makes them vulnerable to even more emotional abuse, creating a vicious cycle of pain and torture. "Verbal abuse from peers during the middle school years had the greatest impact, presumably because this is a sensitive period when these brain connections are developing and becoming insulated with myelin" (Feilds, 2010). Not only do the victims feel physical pain they also have mental effects that can last anywhere from days to years. The effects of emotional abuse can be truly devastating have a lasting impact on the

"Effects of long-term emotional abuse by significant others, boyfriends or girlfriends include: Depression, Withdrawal, Low self-esteem and self-worth, Emotional instability, Sleep disturbances, Physical pain without cause, Suicidal ideation, thoughts or attempts, Extreme dependence on the abuser, Underachievement, Inability to trust, Feeling trapped and alone, and Substance abuse" (Croft, 2016). The long term effect as of emotional abuse can really cause damage to a developing child's brain. A child's brain is very susceptible to harsh words and can cause long lasting effects. "Stockholm Syndrome is also common in long-term abuse situations" (Croft, 2016). emotional abuse can cause long lasting mental disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), depression, and anxiety disorder. "Psychological abuse is a stronger predictor of PTSD than physical abuse among women" ("Psychological Abuse," 2016). When the emotional abuser is someone the child or young person cares about the child will value their opinion and carry that with them for the rest of their life. Emotional abuse isn't just harsh words, there is a mentally abusing components in other forms of abuse as