This week we are going to discuss emotional abuse. While many forms of abuse are shown through visible scarring, emotional abuse often leaves scars on your self-worth, confidence, and dignity. Hurtful words, humiliation, and other forms of maltreatment can cause a lost sense of self, and create damaging implications for the victim’s future.
Emotional abusers use numerous non-physical tactics in order to instill fear and intimidation into their victims. They may dominate, control, or shame their target by treating them as though they are inferior. Judgment and criticism are also common strategies used in order to instill their superiority over the victim. Another tactic used is emotional distancing, abandoning, and neglect. The isolation that comes from these actions can cause severe harm to a person, making it more difficult to willingly trust and depend on others in the future.
Bullying is one of the main forms of emotional abuse, especially amongst children and teenagers. Many young bullies struggle with feeling important and in control in their own lives, which can cause them to project these feelings of helplessness onto someone else. These bullies often have poor self-esteem and tend to manipulate others to cope with those same feelings by exerting their power over them. They may choose a victim who seems emotionally or physically weaker, or perhaps someone who acts or appears different from other kids in some way.
The effects of bullying can be detrimental to a person’s livelihood and can have lasting effects that carry on well into adulthood. There are numerous impacts on mental health through becoming a victim of bullying, such as increased feelings of sadness and loneliness that can metamorphose into depression and anxiety.
Other symptoms of those who have been bullied in the past include:
– Changes in sleep and eating patterns
– Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
– Health complaints
– Decreased academic achievement and school participation
– Substance abuse
– Suicide
Here are a few ways to tell if your son or daughter has become a victim of bullying:
– Has few, if any friends, with whom he or she spends time
– Seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers
– Finds or makes up excuses as to why they can’t go to school
– Has lost interest in school work or suddenly begins to do poorly in school
– Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home
– Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
– Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem
What to do
If you find out your son or daughter is being bullied, it is essential to praise your child for speaking up about the situation. This was most likely a very difficult step for your child to take, so remind your child that he/she is not alone, as many people face some form of bullying at one time or another. Remember to emphasize that it’s the bully who is behaving badly- not your child. Ensure your child that he/she is not going to have to face this situation alone; reassure them that you will figure out what to do about it together. In most cases, it is best to let someone at school know about the situation, such as the principal, a counselor or a teacher, as they will know how to handle the situation in an objective, professional manner.
Sources:
http://www.stompoutbullying.org/index.php/information-and- resources/parents-page/tip-sheet- signs-your- child-being- bullied/
