The use of physical force against someone with the intent of harm. Common examples include: hitting, beating, kicking, shaking, biting, scalding, burning, poisoning, and suffocating.

Physical Abuse

A pattern of behavior in which one insults, shames, and humiliates another individual in order to undermine their self worth and independence and often instill fear as a means of control. Common forms include derogatory words, hurtful names, monitoring and controlling a person's behavior, gaslighting, and constant criticism.

Verbal/Emotional Abuse

Any unwanted sexual activity where the perpetrator uses force, makes threats, and/or takes advantage of a victim without proper consent.

Sexual Abuse

Often considered a more specific type of emotional abuse, psychological abuse doesn't just target emotions, it also focuses on distorting one's sense of reality. Victims constantly question themselves and their environment, believing that they are "crazy" and incompetent. The most common form is gaslighting.

Psychological/Mental Abuse

Common tactic used by abusers to gain power in control over another person. Abusers will often limit a victim's access to their bank accounts and assets, restrict the victim from spending money, or open up credit cards and run up debts in the victim's name.

Financial/Economic Abuse

Abusers use aspects of a victim's identity as a means of control or to inflict suffering. Examples include not allowing someone to follow the dress or dietary customs of their religion or isolating someone who doesn't speak the dominant language where they live.

Cultural/Identity Abuse

- Physical 
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological/Mental
- Financial/Economic
- Cultural/Identity

Boston University

New York University

Abuse is when an individual intentionally torments another individual either physically or emotionally. This can make one more vulnerable to depression later on. 

Abuse

REACH TEAM. (2021, August 24). 6 different types of abuse. Reach. Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://reachma.org/blog/6-different-types-of-abuse/

6 Different Types of Abuse

Interpersonal trauma is a type of trauma that occurs in one’s relationships with other individuals. Events that can cause interpersonal trauma include physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, loss of a loved one, etc. 

Interpersonal Trauma

Types of Abuse

In infancy, damage includes mental retardation, hearing difficulties, visual problems, learning disabilities, and cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to abuse at any point in life, however, negatively correlates with gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, amygdala, sensory association cortices and cerebellum.

Effects of Abuse on Brain Structure

- Toddler Age 
- Preschool Age
- Primary School Age
- Adolescence

Abuse Effects on Behavioral Development

- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Common Mental Disorders Following Abuse

- Psychotherapy
- Play therapy
- Psychotropic medications

Combination psychotherapy and psycho-pharmacotherapy is the most effective treatment strategy.

Treatment Options for Abuse Victims

During childhood, individual is exposed to neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that leaves them vulnerable to developmental problems into adulthood

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