Emotional abuse, sometimes referred to as mental injury or psychological abuse, is the most "hidden" form of abuse. It remains to be the most difficult to identify because there are no real specific physical symptoms like bruises, or scars. The effects of emotional abuse, such as lags in physical development (failure to thrive), learning problems and speech disorders are commonly present in children who have not been abused. The behavioral differences in emotionally abused and emotionally disturbed children are very similar as well. However, there are some basic guidelines that can help us distinguish between the behavior caused by emotional disturbance and the behavior caused by emotional abuse.
The parents of an emotionally disturbed child generally recognize the existence of a problem, whereas the parents of an emotionally abused child often blame the child for the problems, or just ignore the existence of any problems. The parents of an emotionally disturbed child will show concern about the child's welfare and actively seek help. Unlike the parents of an emotionally abused child, they often refuse any offers of help, and tend to appear punitive and unconcerned about the child's welfare.
Emotional abuse is commonly defined as a pattern of behavior that can seriously interfere with a child's positive, emotional development. It includes acts or omissions, by parents/caregivers that have caused, or could cause serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders. Cases in which parents/caretakers use extreme forms of punishment, such as torture or confinement of the child in a dark closet are severe enough to warrant CPS intervention, even without any harm being evident in the child's behavior. In less severe cases, there has to be demonstrable harm to the child's wellbeing before CPS will intervene.
Take a look at what CPS considers to be "less severe".
**constant rejection
**terrorizing
**belittling the child
**name calling
**lack of love and affection
**screaming or yelling
**refusal to provide basic nurturing
**refusal to get help for psychological problems
**scape-goating - such as blaming the child for the adults problems
**failure to provide the physical or mental stimulation
that a child needs to grow
**exposure to domestic violence
**exposure to corruption such as -
***drug abuse
***or criminal activity
Children who are constantly shamed, terrorized, humiliated, or rejected
suffer at least as much, if not more than if they had been physically abused.