Physical Effects of Child Abuse
Surviving Neglect, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse & Emotional Abuse
The effects of physical child abuse range from depression to rage. Here's how to survive child abuse - even if you're no longer an abused kid.
"Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime," said Herbert Ward. Though the effects of physical child abuse can extend to adulthood, it doesn’t have to overshadow your dreams and goals.
Effects of Physical Child Abuse
Physical complaints. Some effects of physical child abuse include stomachaches, migraines, gut problems or other physical symptoms not directly caused by the abuse – these are psychosomatic indicators. Abused kids often feel exhausted, starving, or sick most of the time.
Depression. Anger turned inward leads to feelings of depression, and 80% of depressed teenagers don't get help. They're more likely to suffer another bout of depression in their early 20s, and abuse drugs and alcohol (American Psychiatric Association). Abused kids often feel depressed as a result of child abuse.
Rage. Anger not expressed appropriately leaks out in other ways (or stays inside and turns into depression). One possible effect of physical child abuse is passive aggressive behavior. That is, abused kids get back at people indirectly (e.g., burning the pizza when they’re mad that they got slapped last night.) Another effect of physical child abuse is hostility and cynicism.
Isolation. Abused kids are less likely to make friends and more likely to be rejected by their peers (Lowenthal, 1996). An effect of child abuse is skipping school without anybody noticing, stopping eating without anyone caring, or spending time with people doing things better left undone (these can be consequences of neglect).
Dismal future. Abused kids’ health, achievements, and adulthood are affected by sexual and physical child abuse – and not "just" by feelings of low self-worth. Abused kids are more likely to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The symptoms of physical child abuse don't end when the bruises fade.
Being abused doesn't mean a child – or adult – will automatically have an unhappy life. It's not the abuse that can ruin everything – it's how individuals deal with problems that make or break their future.
Unhealthy Reactions to Physical Child Abuse:
- Cutting to release pain or give you something else to focus on
- Running away
- Deliberately disobeying parents
- Abusing drugs or alcohol
- Skipping school
- Using sex to feel better or to get back at parents
- Stealing, vandalizing, lying, cheating, or gambling
- Abusing siblings, friends, peers, or boyfriends/girlfriends
- Taking dangerous risks (sex without a condom, drinking and driving)
- Attempting suicide
Healthy Ways to Survive Child Abuse:
- Talk to a friend
- Get counseling
- Find a mentor or role model to give you positive support
- Call Social Services or Child Protective Services
- Start over somewhere new: foster home, relative's home, friend's home. If you need to leave home, do it legitimately with an adult's support. Don't just run away
- Call the police if you're in immediate danger
- Tell your teacher, school guidance counselor, pastor, friend's parents, a relative – anyone you trust. Tell a neighbor – start telling, and keep telling until you're safe
If you found Effects of Physical Child Abuse helpful, try:
- Recognizing Physical Abuse
- Treatments for Teen Depression
- 10 Ways to Reduce Children's Stress
- Ways to Cope With Past Child Abuse
