Effects On Child
Abuse
These are some of the typical responses
of children as a result of abuse. They may exhibit "symptoms" at different
developmental stages. These responses overlay, and are not designed to
be rigidly applied. They are general guidelines. All children respond to
abuse individually. If you have any questions regarding symptoms please
consult with a professional.
Infants/Toddlers
Physical Abuse
-
withdrawal/apathy
-
aggressive behavior
-
head-banging
-
hyper vigilance
-
fearfulness/anxiety
-
subdued crying
-
clinginess
-
poor eye contact
-
indiscriminate attaching
-
extreme or inappropriate reaction to pain
Sexual Abuse
-
sexualized behavior (excessive masturba- tion
or inserting objects)
-
stiff body/difficulty sleeping, relaxing
-
clingy
-
difficulty eating
-
colicky
-
passive/withdrawn
-
fussy
Neglect
-
withdrawal/apathy
-
rocking
-
fearfulness
-
lethargic
Latency Age
Physical Abuse
-
withdrawal/apathy
-
aggressive behavior
-
self destructive behavior
-
attention getting (e.g fire setting)
-
self-mutilation/accident prone
-
school difficulties
-
speech or learning difficulties
-
fear of failure
-
drug or alcohol abuse
-
running away
Sexual Abuse
-
sexualized behavior
-
inability to relate to peers
-
seeks out or avoids adults
-
parentified (pseudomature)
-
manipulative behavior
-
distracted easily/ daydreams
-
eating disorders (bulimia, obesity, anorexia)
-
school problems
Neglect
-
withdrawal/apathy
-
fearful
-
learned helplessness (can't reach out for
help)
-
hordes food
-
clingy or needy
-
pseudo-independent
-
regressive behavior (thumb sucking)
Adolescence
Physical Abuse
-
withdrawal/apathy
-
aggressive behavior
-
anti-social behavior (e.g. car theft, truancy)
-
inability to relate to peers
-
identifies with "tough guy" image (punk rock,
gangs)
-
seeks out attention of adults
-
prostitution
-
drug & alcohol abuse
-
eating/school problems
Sexual Abuse
-
sexualized behavior & acting out
-
promiscuity/prostitution
-
defiance or compliance to extreme
-
isolated
-
fearful/anxious
-
self-mutilating
-
suicidal gestures
-
obsessively clean
-
pseudo-mature
-
eating disorders
-
drug & alcohol abuse
-
delinquent behavior/running away
Neglect
-
withdrawal/apathy
-
aggressiveness
-
obesity or other eating disorder
-
inability to make up or keep friends
-
unkempt to extreme
-
drug & alcohol abuse
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