What are the causes and symptoms of abuse?
Children who have been abused usually have a variety of symptoms that encompass behavioral, emotional, and psychosomatic problems (body problems caused by emotional or mental disturbance). Children who have been physically abused tend to be more aggressive, angry, hostile, depressed, and have low self-esteem. Additionally, they exhibit fear, anxiety, and nightmares. Severe psychological problems may result in suicidal behavior or posttraumatic stress disorder. Physically abused children may complain of physical illness even in the absence of a cause. They also may suffer from eating disorders and encopresis, or involuntary defecation caused or psychic origin. Children who are sexually abused may exhibit abnormal sexual behavior in the form of aggressiveness and hyperarousal. Adolescents may display promiscuity, sexual acting out, and—in some situations—homosexual contact. Physical abuse directed towards adults can ultimately lead to death. Approximately 50% of women murdered in
