Psychological Mistreatment can Lead Serious Scars

Imagine a childhood where you were repeatedly yelled at, belittled, threatened, or ignored. Life is much darker in a world that is built without encouragement or loving words. For many children in America, constant verbal and mental abuse is slowly causing lacerations and bruises that aren’t visible. While these teens can’t be hospitalized or medicated for their injuries, they are suffering far more than those who broke a leg at a soccer game or pinched a finger in the car door. Teachers, guardians, parents, or other authorities don’t allow these youth to feel valued or cared for, and it has a negative consequence on them.

While the wounds aren’t visible, these youth are being affected mentally by the abuse that they endure. This can lead to legitimate, medically diagnosed brain impairments later on in life. Children who are mentally abused tend to have more disorders as they age. According to the journal Pediatrics, this kind of abuse is harder to identify. A lot of people can’t determine whether or not a child has been abused because the child will not willingly provide this information. As well, without a video tape or some other tangible evidence, it is difficult to produce a case based on a child’s testimony.

Despite the fact that mental abuse is hard to identify, a study in Pediatrics which was featured in The Los Angeles Times declares that 8 to 9 percent of women and 4 percent of men admit to being mentally abused as children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that the psychological maltreatment goes far beyond a parent who just loses his or her temper from time to time. Instead, this abuse is considered a defining aspect of the relationship that causes tension, stress, and extreme pain to the child who is a victim.

Medical journals are working hard to encourage pediatricians to search for this type of abuse when they are completing routine check-ups with children. If you were mentally abused as a child and it has resulted in mental disorders, then you may want to consider a personal injury lawsuit. You can talk to a lawyer at our firm for more information and a free consultation. We will help you to determine whether or not you have a legitimate claim. Contact us today!