POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 91 continued Effects of Child Abuse continued Psychological and behavioral issues and trauma Experiencing abuse and neglect when you're young can also be a risk factor for developing psychiatric disorders, such as: • Depression • Anxiety • Post-traumatic stress disorder • Anorexia or bulimia • Behavioral disorders Research on childhood trauma and its effects on the brain suggests that stunted or impaired brain development from abuse may play a part in the potential development of these disorders. Impaired cognitive skills and executive functioning Child abuse and neglect can disrupt brain development, potentially resulting in the impairment of the brain’s executive functions. These functions may include working memory, self-awareness, planning, and problem-solving. This damage can result in: • Learning disabilities • Poor grades • A higher chance of dropping out of school These short-term effects can sometimes have a drastic impact on a child’s future. Direct and indirect costs to society Abuse and neglect can have far-reaching consequences that often do not stop at the person who is or was abused. Society, as a whole, can be affected by childhood abuse. In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control found that the total lifetime economic cost of child abuse and neglect generally added up to $428 billion. Direct costs, such as hospitalizations and foster care payments, and indirect costs, such as long-term care, like therapy and medication, factored into this total. Child mistreatment and neglect: Potential short-term consequences Depending on their age, children who experience abuse and neglect can respond to it in a variety of different ways. Preschool-aged children or toddlers may start bed-wetting and displaying signs of severe anxiety. Elementary school kids might have low grades or very few friends. Some teenagers might experiment with substances or fight with their families, though these aren’t always signs of abuse or neglect. Short-term emotional, physical, and psychological effects of child abuse and neglect The following may occur as a result of child abuse: Depression and anxiety Children of any gender or age can experience depression and anxiety as a result of abuse (or unrelated to abuse). Feelings of guilt and anger may also be common, especially among adolescent survivors of abuse. Altered sleep cycles Those who are abused as children may also experience altered sleep cycles. Nightmares, sleep disturbances, and hypervigilance can contribute to their sleep problems. These symptoms typically occur in preschoolers, but can occur later in life as well, especially if PTSD or anxiety are present.
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