Child Maltreatment - Psychological Abuse

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Psychological abuse of a child occurs when someone knowingly causes mental or emotional pain, distress, or suffering to a child. A child is anyone younger than 18 years old. Psychological abuse includes rejecting, insulting, threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or harassing through words or actions. This may also include ignoring, not speaking to the child, or isolating him from family, friends, or his regular activities. It is also when someone encourages, uses, or shows a child how to do something illegal.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Antianxiety medicine: These may be given to help your child feel more relaxed, less nervous, or sleep.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not helping or if he has side effects. Tell your child's primary healthcare provider if your child takes any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines he takes. Include the amounts, and when and why he takes them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

Follow up with your child's primary healthcare provider or counselor as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Care for your child:

• Rest: Let your child rest if he needs to. Tell your child's primary healthcare provider if he has trouble sleeping.
  
  
• Report psychological abuse: It may be hard to report psychological abuse in children, but it is very important. Caregivers can help your child if he is at risk for or is a victim of psychological abuse. Caregivers may be required by law to report suspected child abuse. Your child may need to leave his current living situation and placed in foster care to protect him from the abuse.
  
  
• Take your child for counseling: Psychological abuse may cause your child to feel scared, depressed, or anxious. Your child's primary healthcare provider may suggest that he see a counselor to talk about how he feels.

Contact your child's primary healthcare provider or counselor if:

• Your child has new signs and symptoms since his last visit.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Return to the emergency department if:

• Your child feels like hurting himself or someone else.
  
  
• Your child feels that he cannot cope with the abuse, or his recovery from it.
  
  
• Your child has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.

Learn more about Child Maltreatment - Psychological Abuse (Aftercare Instructions)