Emotional abuse
Subjecting or exposing another person to a behavior that may result in psychological trauma.
What is emotional/psychological abuse?
Examples of emotional and psychological abuse include:
Threats of harm or abandonment.
Deprivation of contact or refusal of visitors.
Humiliation.
Restricting personal choice and refusing to respect privacy.
Blaming, controlling, or intimidating behaviour.
Coercion and harassment.
Verbal abuse, or the use of infantilising language.
Removing mobility or communication aids, or intentionally leaving someone unattended when they need assistance.
Forced isolation, or withdrawal from services or support networks.
Emotional/Psychological abuse can also take place online in the form of Cyber bullying.
Spot the Signs of Emotional Abuse
Any of these could indicate that emotional and psychological abuse is taking place:
Silence or discomfort when a particular person is present.
Withdrawal, or a change in the psychological state of the person.
A change of appetite, or unexplained weight loss or gain.
low self-esteem
signs of distress: tearfulness, anger etc
withdrawal or change in the person’s mood
change to sleep patterns
Signs that a person might be an abuser could be; being uncooperative or aggressive, a carer might make some false claims about an individuals’ behaviour or condition. in order to attract unnecessary treatment. Emotional and psychological abuse sometimes takes place in care settings – see further information under organisational abuse.