Emotional abuse is always present alongside the other forms of abuse, however, it can also occur on its own. When it does, it can be difficult to identify and even more difficult to address, however its effects are just as devastating and the impact can be life-long. There are often no obvious physical signs of emotional abuse or neglect, and the child might not tell anyone what’s happening until they reach a ‘crisis point’. The key is to look at the child’s behaviour and emotional development.

Children who are being emotionally abused might:

• Have low confidence and self-esteem
• Be excessively keen to please
• Engage in attention seeking behaviours
• “Come to life” when an adult engages with them
• Find it difficult to form or maintain close reflationships
• Struggle to manage or regulate their emotions
• Act in ways that seem immature or alternatively, may behave like “little adults” rather than children
• Lack self confidence and struggle with expressions of disapproval
• Excessive anxiety or seemingly irrational fear
• Lack close attachment to their parents and other significant people
• Be aggressive towards others
• Outbursts of uncontrolled emotion (both positive emotions and negative)
• Appear isolated and lacking friends or other close relationships
• Lack social skills and sophistication