Effects of Physical & Emotional Abuse

Behavioral Effects

• Those who suffer physical and emotional abuse often feel that they cannot trust other people, so they become distanced from both friends and family. Often abused individuals will resort to harmful activities such as drugs or alcohol. Even more dangerously, some may even begin physically hurting themselves or contemplate suicide. Perhaps most importantly, those who suffer physical and emotional abuse typically experience low self-worth, which can lead to a number of other problems, including an avoidance of social situations and excessive monitoring of personal behavior. Children will often start performing poorly in school, convinced that no one cares about them and that they should not care about themselves.

Emotional Effects

• Teens and adults who suffer emotional and physical abuse also develop a number of emotional problems. They often experience deep and profound sadness and depression, anxiety, guilt, self-blame, or psychosomatic illnesses (illnesses that are a result of the mind rather than of any physical problem). Abused individuals often have difficulty controlling their emotions and may lash out unexpectedly and without warning.

Physical Effects

• All types of abuse can have tremendous negative effects on the physical health of the abused. Those who suffer from such abuse often have trouble sleeping and experience a loss of appetite. They also may experience headaches and body aches or avoid physical contact with others (which often manifests as flinching or cringing or problems with physical intimacy).

Combating these Effects

• Those who have endured physical and emotional abuse should report these incidents to someone they can trust, and they should try to find a counselor who is familiar with the needs of abused women. Teachers and therapists are an excellent source of support, and many of them have received training in how to recognize and respond to various kinds of abuse. Since both physical and emotional abuse can have effects that last far longer than the the actual abuse, it is vital that victims build up a strong support base, including family, friends, and self-help groups, to help them work through the long-term effects.