Emotional or psychological abuse is the infliction of anguish, emotional pain, or distress. Emotional or psychological abuse includes but is not limited to verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment. In addition, treating an older person like an infant; isolating an elderly person from family, friends, or regular activities; giving an older person a “silent treatment”; and enforced social isolation also are examples of emotional or psychological abuse.
Signs and Symptoms of emotional or psychological abuse
- Emotional upset or agitation
- Extreme withdrawal and non-communication or non-responsiveness
- An elder’s report of being verbally or emotionally mistreated
Source: http://aoa.gov/AoA_Programs/Elder_Rights/Elder_Abuse/docs/ABuseReport_Full.pdf
Report Online: http://aging.dhs.georgia.gov/adult-protective-services