Long-terms effects of child physical abuse on adult health
Child physical abuse presents long term risks to adult health including many chronic medical and mental health conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Murder and Suicide
- Arthritis
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart disease
- Sexually transmitted diseases (in the cases where sexual abuse was part of the physical abuse)
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Problems with pregnancy including poor weight gain and miscarriag
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
In children, the effects of physical abuse may include:
- Problems at school
- Depression
- Self-destructive behavior; running away
- Anger and hostility
- Low self-esteem
- Stuttering
- Psychosomatic disorders (disorders in which mental factors play a significant role – often vague complaints of pain)
- Anxiety; fears; compulsive behavior
- Sleep disruption
- Excessive crying
Children who witness physical abuse of siblings – or adults in the home – are also more likely to be victims or perpetrators as adults.