Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, pain, injury, or other physical suffering or harm.

Psychological abuse or emotional abuse is a form of abuse characterised by a person subjecting or exposing another to behaviour that is psychologically harmful.

Psychological abuse is the wilful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or non-verbal conduct. It is often associated with situations of power imbalance, such perhaps as the situations of abusive relationships and child abuse; however, it can also take place on larger scales, such as group psychological abuse, racial oppression and bigotry. A more "mild" case might be that of workplace abuse. Workplace abuse is a large cause of workplace-related stress, which in turn is a strong cause of illness, both physical and mental.

When a child is emotionally abused, some may not even recognize it, and make it seem like everyday behaviour when, in fact, it can have serious long term effects on the child at hand. Emotional abuse may also entail the abuser minimizing, or "downplaying" the severity of abuse along with the act of invalidation. Invalidation is to reject, ignore, mock, tease, judge, or diminish someone's feelings. It is an attempt to control how they feel and for how long they feel it.

Psychotherapy and psychiatric methods can help some people overcome the negative effects of abuse, given time and a safe, healing environment.

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Author's Bio: 

This definition is part of a series that covers the topic of Abuse & Recovery. The Official Guide to Abuse & Recovery is Kathryn Seifert. Kathryn Seifert received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus in 1995. She advocates for the highest quality services for all children needing mental health treatment. Dr. Seifert has had over 30 years experience in mental health, addictions, and criminal justice work. In addition to creating the Juvenile CARE2 (Chronic Violent Behavior Risk and Needs Assessment), Dr. Seifert has authored articles and lectured nationally and internationally on family violence and trauma. She founded Eastern Shore Psychological Services, a multidisciplinary private practice that specializes in working with high-risk youth and their families. She lectures nationally and internationally on the topics of violence, risk assessment, suicide prevention, and stress management.

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