Psychological Abuse In Adolescence – Being Parents

The psychological abuse in adolescence is a painful reality that millions of young people worldwide. 

Often this goes unnoticed as individuals tend to focus on the visible aspects of violence. In other words, on the physical injuries of violence. Thus, we often forget that psychological abuse leaves a deeper and more permanent mark on those affected.

The extreme consequences of psychological abuse in adolescence can lead to youth violence, drug use and other self-destructive behaviors. Considering these many negative consequences, it is necessary to be aware of the terrible emotional damage to  which our children can be exposed.

Psychological abuse in adolescence

In short, psychological abuse consists  of harming another person through the use of negative language. Disqualifications and insults, regardless of tone of voice (it is not necessarily necessary to shout to hurt someone).

Therefore, it generates feelings of inferiority, shame, anguish, abandonment, worry, restlessness, rejection, etc. Psychological abuse is understood to mean the following:

• Mockery.
• Sarcasm.
• Constraint.
• Devaluation.
• Emotional blackmail.
• Guilt.
• Destructive criticism.
• Verbal violence.
• Disqualifications.
• Emotional abandonment.
• Social and emotional isolation.
• Excessive control and overprotection.

Certainly, most people, in coming of age, have probably already suffered from one or more of these forms of psychological abuse.

Indeed, it is at  school age  that these different types of abuse can multiply. However,  we are not immune to suffering emotional abuse at home, whether consciously or unconsciously.

Some considerations on violent people

Psychological abuse is part of a learning cycle of behaviors. Many violent people come from homes or social environments in which they have been the victims of abuse. They then recreate the real-life situations by considering that the abusive comments which they have received and which they in turn dispense, are part of normalcy.

It is important to take this aspect into account. Indeed, for effective prevention of psychological abuse to take place, it is imperative to begin with a self-examination of how we interact with our children and also how they express themselves with us. This gives us clues to  know the degree of social hostility present in their school.

Clues to find out if a teenager is suffering from psychological abuse

There are obvious clues as to whether a teenager is suffering from psychological abuse or after-effects. Excessive shyness, not looking people straight up or always down, stammering when speaking, difficulty concentrating and establishing relationships with others.

Generalized pessimism, aggressiveness, fear of going to school or in public places, sleep problems. Apathy or a desire to be alone most of the time. Other more alarming clues can include anorexia, suicide attempts or flogging. Also cutting your skin and committing acts of violence.

Bullying

The bullying is a social issue that no longer go unnoticed, although there is still much to do to resolve it. 

This topic is so controversial that the big TV channels are already using their spaces to present series that directly address the most extreme consequences of bullying in school. We find for example suicide or violent attacks with weapons. These are creating a real problem in countries like North America.

Indeed, the psychological consequences of mockery, rejection and exclusion are more frequent every day. In addition, it is believed that they  create permanent damage to the mental health of individuals. Indeed, the most common consequences are problems with self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

How to deal with psychological abuse in adolescence?

The problem of psychological abuse in adolescence represents a huge challenge to overcome. Because, very often, those who violate it and those who undergo it, are not aware at the time of the consequences of what they do or what they live.

This claim may stem from the fact that one third of children and adolescents who have been victims of psychological abuse will end up repeating the same type of abusive conduct with their own children.

This is why the frequent evaluation of our actions, as well as the regular visit to a psychologist who checks our behavior and that of our children, will always be of great use in order to  consolidate in them the strength to overcome the aggressions of the children. other.