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What is Child
Emotional Abuse?
All abused
children suffer some form of emotional abuse. It is the core
component of all forms of abuse and affects about 2,700,000
children a year in this country. It may be the only form of
maltreatment or may appear in conjunction with other forms of
abuse.
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Emotional abuse is a pattern of behavior that attacks
a child's emotional development and sense of self-worth.
Examples are constant criticizing, belittling, insulting,
rejecting and providing no love, support or guidance.
Emotional abuse includes psychological neglect and
psychological terror.
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The signs of emotional abuse may be less obvious than
other forms of maltreatment. Emotional abuse is suspected when
a child exhibits impaired development, destructive behavior or
chronic physical complaints that cannot be explained medically
or circumstantially.
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A child who persistently demonstrates several of the
following characteristics may be experiencing abuse:
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Eating disorders
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Inappropriate wetting or soiling
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Sleep disturbances, nightmares
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Failure to thrive
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Speech disorders, stuttering
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Asthma, severe allergies or gastrointestinal
ulcers
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Developmental lags
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Habit disorders, such as chronic biting,
rocking, head banging, thumb sucking in an older child
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Poor peer relationships
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Behavioral extremes, overly compliant or
demanding; overly withdrawn or aggressive
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Self-destructive behavior, oblivious to
hazards or risks
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Chronic academic underachievement
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Sad appearance
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Apathy, lack of
responsiveness
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