Emotional abuse can have long-lasting negative effects on children and youth. It is connected to the relationship between the victim and abuser. Emotional abuse can lead to physical effects like speech problems, eating disorders, and substance abuse as well as behavioral effects such as low self-worth, inability to trust others, depression, aggression, and risky behaviors. Boys may display aggression, bullying, disobedience, while girls tend to be withdrawn, approval-seeking, and compliant.

1. Nugget of Wisdom
“The only disability in life
is a bad attitude.”
- Scott Hamilton-

2. Emotional Abuse
• Emotional Abuse Effects
• Emotional Abuse Signs

3. Emotional child abuse
• is by definition "constant
negative messages", but even
a single message of rejection
can have long-lasting negative
effects on the child or youth.

4. Emotional abuse
effects
•Emotional abuse effects
are directly connected
to the relationship
between the victim and
abuser.

5. Physical Effects
» speech problems
» lags in physical development
» failure to thrive
» facial tics
» eating disorders
» substance abuse
» self-harm
» attempts at or completed suicide

6. Behavioral Effects
» low self-worth
» irritability
» overly reactive
» sleep disorders
» inability to trust others
» depression
» inappropriate behavior for age

7. » withdrawal
» profound sadness
» habit disorders - sucking, biting, rocking
» aggression
» stealing
» lying
» self-harm
» prostitution
» engaging in risky behaviors
» attempts at or completed suicide

8. Emotional Effects
» inability to control emotions
» questioning of religious beliefs

9. Emotional Abuse Signs
Differing social expectations contribute to the
way boys and girls display signs of emotional abuse.
Boys
» aggression » temper tantrums
» bullying tactics » frustrates easily
» disobedience » lying and cheating
» destructive behaviors » argumentative
» impulsive behaviors » loud
» tease excessively » withdrawn
» worry excessively

10. Girls
» withdrawn » passive
» approval-seeking » compliant
» frustrates easily » infinite patience
» clinging to adults » overly dependent
» stubborn » tease excessively
» worry excessively » somatic complaint