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23 Signs Of Mentally Abusive Parents

| Types | Signs of Mentally Abusive Parents | Effects | Signs of Mental Abuse In Children

What Is Mental Abuse

Mental abuse, also known as psychological abuse, is characterized by the repeated use of non-physical acts such as manipulation, threats, intimidation, and isolation to control, harm, or punish an individual. It can have serious and long-term effects on the victim’s mental health, emotional well-being, and self-esteem​1​.

threatened by a belt girl hugs teddy bear and cries

Types of Mental Abuse by Parents

Mental abuse toward children can take many forms. Here are the five types of mentally abusive behavior ​2​.

  • Rejecting
  • Isolating
  • Terrorizing
  • Ignoring
  • Corrupting

Signs of Mentally Abusive Parentse

Parental abuse can cause lasting harm to the mental, emotional, and physical health of their children. It is important to be able to recognize the signs of mental abuse so that you can get help for yourself or for a loved one.

This type of abuse is often hard to detect because it is non-physical. During the course of the day or when disciplining their children, many parents make negative comments or give constructive criticism. It does not make them abusive.

However, a pattern of behavior can still indicate risk of abuse. Here are some common signs of mentally abusive adults​3​.

  1. Constant criticism or belittling
  2. Aggressive Outbursts and yelling
  3. Isolation or restriction
  4. Gaslighting or manipulation
  5. Financial control or exploitation
  6. Threats of punishment or physical abuse
  7. Excessive control or monitoring
  8. Public humiliation or embarrassment
  9. Withholding basic needs
  10. Blaming the child for their own problems
  11. Withholding affection or love
  12. Forbidding the child from expressing their opinions or feelings
  13. Calling derogatory names or verbal abuse
  14. Ridiculing the child’s appearance, abilities, or background
  15. Emotional blackmail or guilt-tripping
  16. Using excessive discipline or punishment
  17. Blocking the child’s access to education, opportunities, or social interactions
  18. Treating the child differently based on favoritism
  19. Telling the child that they are worthless or unwanted
  20. Damaging property
  21. Emotional neglect
  22. Set unrealistic expectations
  23. Singling out one child

Effects Of Mental Abuse On Children

Mental abuse from parents can have adverse effects on health – emotional and physical.

Depression and Anxiety Disorders

Inadequacy and worthlessness are common themes in mental abuse, and these feelings can damage a child’s sense of self.

Children who are mentally abused are often made to feel rejected and unvalued, leading to diminished self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness. 

Some children with a heightened level of anxiety can also suffer from poor body image due to maltreatment.

They tend to develop mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders​4​.

Borderline Personality Disorder

It is estimated that 20–40% of all psychiatric inpatient admissions are related to borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Approximately 84% of people with BPD engage in suicidal behaviors, and 8% die by suicide​5​.

This serious psychiatric disorder is often found in children who have suffered childhood emotional abuse​6​.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abuse during childhood is a traumatic experience during the formative years

However, emotional abuse and child neglect do not fulfill the DSM criterion for PTSD, which requires that the events be life-threatening​7​.

Yet psychiatrists have found that childhood mental abuse can result in symptoms similar to those of PTSD and have coined this “complex PTSD,” or developmental PTSD​8​.

Symptoms of this mental health condition include reexperiencing the trauma, substance abuse, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.

Physical Health Issues

Childhood abuse, though only emotional, can result in problems in one’s physical health in various ways.

When a child is chronically exposed to high a level of stress during development, their blood pressure, immunity, and stress response are affected, leaving them vulnerable to stress-induced illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic pain​9​.

In some cases, childhood mental abuse also leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance abuse, eating disorders, and self-harm, which can further impact one’s physical health.

Also See: Trauma-Informed Parenting

Signs of Mental Abuse in Children

  1. Anxiety and fear
  2. Low self-esteem
  3. Depressive symptoms
  4. Nightmares or sleep problems
  5. Bed wetting
  6. Loss in appetite
  7. Withdrawal from friends and activities
  8. Lack of trust in others
  9. Poor school performance
  10. Self-harm behaviors
  11. Antisocial behaviors
  12. Destructive behavior
  13. Difficulty expressing emotions
  14. Aggressive behavior
  15. Difficulty concentrating
  16. Suicidal thoughts or attempt
  17. Delayed physical, emotional, or intellectual development
  18. Substance abuse
  19. Running away from home
  20. Regression to younger behaviors (bed-wetting, thumb-sucking)
  21. Lack social skills
  22. Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with peers

References

  1. 1.
    Black DA, Smith Slep AM, Heyman RE. Risk factors for child psychological abuse. Aggression and Violent Behavior. Published online March 2001:189-201. doi:10.1016/s1359-1789(00)00022-7
  2. 2.
    Kelly VA. Psychological Abuse of Women: A Review of the Literature. The Family Journal. Published online October 2004:383-388. doi:10.1177/1066480704267234
  3. 3.
    Burnett BB. The psychological abuse of latency age children: A survey. Child Abuse & Neglect. Published online July 1993:441-454. doi:10.1016/0145-2134(93)90019-2
  4. 4.
    Ferguson KS, Dacey CM. Anxiety, depression, and dissociation in women health care providers reporting a history of childhood psychological abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect. Published online October 1997:941-952. doi:10.1016/s0145-2134(97)00055-0
  5. 5.
    Pompili M, Girardi P, Ruberto A, Tatarelli R. Suicide in borderline personality disorder: A meta-analysis. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. Published online January 2005:319-324. doi:10.1080/08039480500320025
  6. 6.
    Kuo JR, Khoury JE, Metcalfe R, Fitzpatrick S, Goodwill A. An examination of the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and borderline personality disorder features: The role of difficulties with emotion regulation. Child Abuse & Neglect. Published online January 2015:147-155. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.08.008
  7. 7.
    Spertus IL, Yehuda R, Wong CM, Halligan S, Seremetis SV. Childhood emotional abuse and neglect as predictors of psychological and physical symptoms in women presenting to a primary care practice. Child Abuse & Neglect. Published online November 2003:1247-1258. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2003.05.001
  8. 8.
    Dorrepaal E, Thomaes K, Hoogendoorn AW, Veltman DJ, Draijer N, van Balkom AJLM. Evidence-based treatment for adult women with child abuse-related Complex PTSD: a quantitative review. European Journal of Psychotraumatology. Published online October 14, 2014. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v5.23613
  9. 9.
    Carpenter LL, Tyrka AR, Ross NS, Khoury L, Anderson GM, Price LH. Effect of Childhood Emotional Abuse and Age on Cortisol Responsivity in Adulthood. Biological Psychiatry. Published online July 2009:69-75. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.02.030

About Pamela Li

Pamela Li is an author, Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of Parenting For Brain. Her educational background is in Electrical Engineering (MS, Stanford University) and Business Management (MBA, Harvard University). Learn more

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