Effects of Verbal Abuse in childhood

Verbal or Emotional Abuse

What is Verbal Abuse?

Have you ever felt in a situation where you are being verbally abused or have you seen a person being verbally abused?

A form of psychological or mental abuse known as verbal abuse involves using spoken, gestured, or written words aimed at a person. Verbal abuse includes but is not limited to yelling at someone repeatedly and loudly to intimidate them into submission. Verbal abuse can be a kind of physical or emotional violence that involves threats, insults, and other types.

Verbal abuse doesn’t mean intensional harm sometimes, it can be of any following behaviors:

• Insulting 

• Criticizing

• Calling names

• Yelling at them

• Belittling

• Manipulating

• Threatening

Such behavior of any type is considered verbal abuse. In children who have experienced verbal abuse, some terrible effects such as self-criticism or self-hatred develop.

Verbal abuse is also a cycle that repeats through generations sometimes. The victim's mind is addicted to that abuse, and he may continue to abuse his children or in any other relationship. 

The main vital consequences of verbal abuse in children are

• Effects Brain development

• Decrease in self-esteem

• Confidence levels decreases

• Increases suicidal thoughts

• Insecurity of low self (negative self-image)

• Leads to depression

• Undergoes chronic stress

• Prone to anxiety

Effects of Verbal Abuse 

Verbal abuse makes a person feel insecure about themselves, making it difficult for the individual to move around in social situations and environments where they don't feel comfortable at gatherings. Hence, consequently, they can develop into socially awkward introverts as well. 

People who have been verbally abused find it difficult to live a calm life every day. Unlike others, they are unable to develop their minds, and they have trouble conversing with others of any age, whether they are older or younger than they are. As a result, they cease talking to someone because they don't want to take any criticism from them.

The person who bears the verbal abuse sometimes feels a negative self-image and isolates himself and feels like he may not obtain support from his peers or friends, even in his family, and he finds himself alone and ends up developing suicidal thoughts.

Many studies have confirmed the adverse effects of verbal abuse on children. For example, a study found that people who were exposed to any form of abuse during childhood were twice as likely to develop depression and other mental illnesses than others. Since children can’t communicate like elderly people, it has serious effects on them.

A survey found that they have a chance of developing ADHD(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) since verbal abuse directly hits the brain. There is a higher chance of developing depression in children because they are less expressive. They may develop psychiatric disorders. They couldn’t achieve any goals in life because they couldn't concentrate on things. They can’t mingle in society, and, as a result, they don’t have a circle of friends.  Even their childhood will be ruined since they feel degraded in life.

Any workplace where verbal abuse occurs increases the victim's likelihood of leaving their position. As a result, he will be unable to progress in his profession, which will wreck his promising future and eventually lead to unemployment. This abuse has a significant negative influence on their minds, which causes them to get distracted and not provide their best effort for the quality of work.

People who experience emotional abuse have low self-esteem and frequently withdraw from group activities. Due to their low self-confidence, they can also not make appropriate or independent choices.

Signs of Verbal Abuse

Being manipulated and having your self-worth degraded are additional markers of verbal abuse. They don’t look active. They almost feel like they don't want to exist. They refuse to eat normally. They may be addicted to anti-social behaviors like drugs. They look for the attention of others. It displays many unnecessary fears.

How to stop this verbal abuse or can keep it under control

• Don’t speak in anger

• Walk away and take some time for yourself

• Remain calm

• Use formal language for the behavior you want to stop

• Set firm boundaries and make sure don’t cross them

• Seek the help of a counselor

Many people experience verbal abuse in various contexts, including relationships, real life, school, the workplace, and many more. 

When someone calls you names or insults you in any way, it hurts because it might feel bad for them and also make them very sad. After all, they need to find something else to do instead of constantly being unhappy, which causes them to enter an emotional state where they are no longer able to think clearly and then act out their emotions on other people by abusing them.

When you are being bullied by someone who is aiming to dominate you or the situation, try to change the subject, project confidence, avoid being alone, engage in something, and develop positive self-talk. Practice these things and try to get control over yourself with this type of person or if it is you under stress.