Psychological or emotional abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse is any action which:
- has an adverse effect on an individual's mental well-being
- causes suffering
- affects an individual's quality of life and
- affects an individual's ability to function to their full potential.
This may include the threat that other types of abuse could take place or a situation where a person is led to believe that this could happen.
Examples of psychological and emotional abuse:
- being ignored
- being bullied
- being humiliated or ridiculed
- being harassed
- being subjected to loud noise
- being pressurised or manipulated into making decisions
- living in a culture of fear or coercion
- disregarding a person's opinions, personal history or life experience
- removing or losing significant personal effects which are part of a person's individual personal history
- having opinions and behaviour explained solely in terms of a person's age or disability
Indicators of emotional abuse:
- depression
- withdrawal
- agitation
- loss of confidence and anxiety
- tearfulness
- increased levels of confusion
- feelings of isolation
- unexpected or unexplained changes in behaviour e.g. inappropriate dressing,
- angry, physical or verbal outbursts
- self-abuse, low self-esteem or self neglect
- demanding or attention-seeking behaviour
- sexually inappropriate or overtly promiscuous behaviour