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Injuries Indicative of Abuse
Sleep distiurbances: night terrors; nightmares; trouble falling asleep; trouble staying
asleep or sleeping alone.
Changes in eating habits: compulsive or overeating; loss of appetite
Changes in toileting habits including urinary or bowel accidents
Increased aggression: directed toward self (including suicide attempts) or others
Increased impulsivity and activity
Academic problems: distractibility, concentration problems, lack of focus
Reluctance or refusal to go home or to other environments
Easily startled; seems to be tense quite often; difficulty relaxing and calming down
Unexplained fears of, or avoidance of, specific individuals, places, objects or situations
Separation anxieties: clinginess, school refusal
Negative statements about oneself; a negative or pessimistic outlook
Low energy
Social withdrawal
Somatic/medical complaints: commonly include gastrointestinal complaints, headaches,
pain and general physical malaise
Antisocial acts, such as hurting animals, setting fires and stealing
Running away from home
Cognitive Reactions:
Inattentiveness
Disorientation
Daydreaming and fantasizing
Negative thoughts about oneself, related to low self-esteem, guilt embarrassment and
self-blame
Pessimism regarding the future and/or a difficulty imagining oneself in the future
Forgetfulness
Emotional Reactions:
Some emotional reactions can be associated with the behavioral and cognitive reactions described above,
as well as physiological changes that are more difficult to observe (e.g., increased heart rate). Children
who have been sexually abused or otherwise exposed to extreme stress are often described as anxious,
depressed, or as labile (having unusually strong mood swings) and they may have difficulty calming
down or soothing themselves when they are upset. They can also appear to be very needy of adult
attention, fearful of inciting adult displeasure, and/or unusually suspicious or fearful in situations that
might not cause discomfort in others.
http://www.pathguy.com/adams.htm (9 of 10) [6/5/2005 8:46:54 PM]
Psychosocial Indicators of Sexual Abuse