How can I tell if someone might be emotionally abused?

Signs that someone might be experiencing emotional or psychological abuse include

• showing fear of certain family members, friends, or caregivers;
• withdrawal, apathy, or depression without any apparent reason;
• physical signs of isolation being imposed, for example, locks on doors, or having no access to phone, radio, or television;
• the older person being largely ignored, treated passively, or treated like a child by a caregiver.

Emotional or psychological abuse can be hard to detect, but may be an indication that other forms of abuse are also taking place.

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January 2006

see also:

• More Abuse of Older Adults FAQs

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