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| Child Abuse |
poor self image sexual acting out inability to trust of love others aggressive, disruptive, and sometimes illegal behavior. anger and rage self destructive or self abusive behavior, suicidal thoughts. passive or withdrawn behavior fear of entering into new relationships or activities anxiety and fears school problems and failures. feelings of sadness and depression flashbacks and nightmares drug and alcohol abuse |
| Many times, the severe emotional damage to abused children does not surface until adolescence or later. Many abused children become abusive parents. An adult who was abused as a child often has trouble establishing intimate personal relationships. They may have trouble with physical closeness, touching, intimacy, and trust as adults. They are also at higher risk for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, medical illness, and problems at school or work. Without proper treatment, physically abused children can be damaged for life. Early identification and treatment is important to minimize the long-term consequences of abuse. Child and adolescent psychiatrists provide comprehensive evaluation and care for children who have been abused. The family can be helped to learn new ways of support and communicating with one another. Through treatment, the abused child begins to regain a sense of self-confidence and trust. |
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| Children that have been abused may display: |