Difficult to detect, emotional abuse can attack a person's integrity and cause them to lose self-esteem. Unfortunately, some people are toxic and tend to exercise this unhealthy strategy without being aware of its impact. In addition, this psychological abuse can destroy the internal construction of a child. According to Psychology Today, this form of violence can cause significant and lasting harm. Find out why you should not let your children be around toxic people.
According to a study conducted by the American Association of Psychology, psychological abuse experienced during childhood has an impact as harmful as sexual or physical abuse. Indeed, children who face this form of violence are subject to various psychological disorders. Thus, they may suffer from low self-esteem, generalized anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.
A form of maltreatment that is not very visible
Often, the appearance of a family with psychological violence can be misleading. Indeed, the toxic members can display a behavior quite normal in society. They try to display a stable attitude in front of others and exercise psychological abuse only when they are cloistered in their home. Thus, the children who are victims remain in the shadow of their suffering.
According to some psychologists, psychological violence is a recurring act that includes threats, social isolation, intimidation, the formulation of unreasonable demands, a tendency to terrorize or expose others to danger.
How to recognize the signs of psychological violence?
To find out if your child is suffering or has suffered from this silent abuse, expert, indicates the signs that should alert parents:
1. He suffers from judgments, criticism, humiliation or negativity
The child is constantly belittled by a member of the family who can use sarcasm in his remarks or make fun of him explicitly. In addition, he experiences negative judgments when expressing his emotions or opinions.
2. He is belittled and controlled
The family member uses some form of manipulation to control the child's actions. He is never encouraged or commended for his good deeds. On the contrary, it is very often subject to the disapproval of the close, who does not hesitate to support its deficiencies while minimizing its successes.
3. He is blamed without foundation
The family member may blame the child for his / her own problems. Indeed, it will tend to spread very negative waves that will give rise to strong guilt in the child. In addition, the loved one will never apologize and will continue to blame the child for fictitious errors.
4. He receives neither affection nor empathy
The family member will not show compassion to the child. Indeed, his anger or his tears will be ignored. In addition, his questions will not give rise to any response and the latter will never receive affection from this family member.
5. He is often sidelined and ignored
Of course, the child will feel terribly bad with that person. He will have the impression of constantly making mistakes that push the individual to blame him. Moreover, his requests will never be satisfied since the person in question will tend to decide in his place. The child will feel under the influence of his aggressor and will only become aware of the painful emotions that will result.
The aggressor, a victim?
According to the coach, the family member who exerts this psychological hold on the child could himself have been the victim of the same mechanisms by being small. Thus, he would project despite himself the wounds he suffered in his childhood. In addition, a study indicates that experiences in early childhood have an impact on the psychic of the adult but also on physical health. Indeed, the results show that child abuse promotes cognitive impairment and stress.