Verbal and emotional abuse can be very damaging to victims. These types of abuse can cause psychological trauma, distrust of others, change in personality, and can adversely affect your life for days, weeks, months, and even years.
Emotional abuse is the use of “coercion, threats, insults, and other measures which control the victim and result in loss of self-esteem,” according to Mayo Clinic Health System. Often, victims of abuse may feel as though they deserve to be treated in that way. This is why it is important to look out for the signs of emotional abuse in your loved ones living in nursing homes. Nursing home staff must care for their residents, not put them down or belittle them.
Verbal and emotional abuse victims often require therapy and other treatments that are financially stressful. If you or someone you love was the victim of verbal or emotional abuse while living in a nursing home, you might be considering legal action against those responsible for your suffering.
There is a Forest Park verbal or emotional abuse lawyer that can help you explore your options. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to set up a free consultation with one of our team members and find out if you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Examples of Verbal or Emotional Abuse
Sometimes verbal or emotional abuse is difficult to detect. Victims of this form of abuse may experience it so regularly that it becomes “normal.”
Understanding what verbal and emotional abuse looks like can help you determine if someone you love is a victim. Some common examples of verbal or emotional abuse include the following types of behavior, from one person towards another:
- Name-calling, or constantly putting down someone
- Belittling, or treating your loved one like a child
- Yelling, screaming, or unwelcome tone
- Unwarranted or excessive punishment
- Purposefully ignoring questions and calls for help
If your loved one has experienced any of these types of behavior from nursing home staff, or you have witnessed similar actions toward nursing home residents, you should report it immediately. Keeping an eye out for the warning signs of abuse can also help to stop verbal and emotional abuse and prevent future incidents.
Signs of Verbal or Emotional Abuse
Maintaining an awareness of the warning signs, that verbal or emotional abuse might be occurring, will help you recognize and prevent future abuse. If you notice any of the following behavioral changes in a loved one, something could be wrong:
- Avoidance of a particular staff member in a nursing home, or frequent complaints about the same person
- Poor hygiene or unkempt physical appearance
- Avoidance of questions about suspicious behavior
- Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
Sometimes the warning signs of abuse are similar to the effects. Understanding that any sign could be cause for concern will help keep you alert to a potentially abusive environment.
Effects of Abuse on Victims
Any form of elder abuse can be devastating to victims. Victims of abuse often require a great deal of therapy, and the effects can last a lifetime. Victims of abuse may react differently, but the typical effects of verbal or emotional abuse include:
- Fear of people or reoccurrence of an abusive incident
- General distrust of others
- Emotional and mental health issues that may require treatment
- Physical ailments resulting from mental or emotional trauma
- A feeling of guilt and shame
- Mood swings
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden change in personality
- Difficulty sleeping
About one in five cases of abuse are emotional in nature, according to a study on the abuse of residents of long term care facilities by the National Center on Elder Abuse. Do your part by educating yourself on how to act if emotional or verbal abuse has affected your loved one’s life.
How You Can Fight Abuse
If you see something, say something. Someone could be in danger, and their life could be at risk. That person could be someone close to you. Understanding the warning signs and behaviors characteristic of abuse will help you stop it.
The sad reality is that many elderly adults and nursing home residents suffer from abuse. The most important thing you can do is report any suspicious behavior or incidents to get the help your loved one needs. Your loved one’s safety is of the utmost importance. If someone you care about is psychologically affected by verbal or emotional abuse, seek immediate medical attention.
You might also want to consider legal action in the aftermath of abuse. This can help bring peace and justice to your life and the life of a loved one. There is a Forest Park verbal or emotional abuse lawyer that may be able to assist with these types of cases. It may help you to hire a lawyer to handle your case while you help your family member focus on recovering from the abuse.
For a free legal consultation with a Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer serving Forest Park, call (800) 794-0444
Contact Us Today
Deciding whether or not to pursue legal action in the aftermath of abuse is an important and difficult decision. Your loved one may still be recovering from abuse, and the last thing on their mind is the hassle of a legal battle.
However, their recovery can cost more money than you have—between therapy, moving nursing homes, and more. If you have mounting bills from abuse your loved one suffered in a nursing home, you might be able to get compensation to cover the costs for your loved one.
An attorney might be able to help. A member of the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm team is available to discuss your case and evaluate your options. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. Victims of abuse deserve justice, which sometimes comes in the form of financial compensation. If you act now, a Forest Park verbal or emotional abuse lawyer can start the case sooner, so you can focus on what is important—the health and recovery of a loved one.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
