abuse (redirected from Animal abuse)

Abuse 

Definition

Abuse is defined as anything that is harmful, injurious, or offensive. Abuse also includes excessive and wrongful misuse of a substance. There are several major types of abuse: physical and sexual abuse of a child or an adult, substance abuse, elderly abuse, and emotional abuse.

Description

Physical abuse of a child is the infliction of injury by another person. The injuries can include punching, kicking, biting, burning, beating, or pulling the victim's hair. The physical abuse inflicted on a child can result in bruises, burns, poisoning, broken bones, and internal hemorrhages. Physical assault against an adult primarily occurs with women, usually in the form of domestic violence. It is estimated that approximately three million children witness domestic violence every year.

Sexual abuse of a child refers to sexual behavior between an adult and child or between two children, one of whom is dominant or significantly older. The sexual behaviors can include touching breasts, genitals, and buttocks; either dressed or undressed. The behavior also can include exhibitionism, cunnilingus, fellatio, or penetration of the vagina or anus with sexual organs or objects.

Pornographic photography also is used in sexual abuse with children. Reported sex offenders are 97% male. Reports of child pornography have increased since with the popularity of the Internet. Females more often are perpetrators in child-care settings, since children may confuse sexual abuse by a female with normal hygiene care. The 1990s and early 2000s were rocked by reports of sexual abuse of children committed by Catholic priests. Most of the abuse appeared to have occurred during the 1970s and a prominent report released early in 2004 stated that as many as 10.667 children were sexually abused by more than 4,300 priests. Sexual abuse by stepfathers is five times more common than with biological fathers. Sexual abuse of daughters by stepfathers or fathers is the most common form of incest.

Sexual abuse also can take the form of rape. The legal definition of rape includes only slight penile penetration in the victim's outer vulva area. Complete erection and ejaculation are not necessary. Rape is the perpetration of an act of sexual intercourse whether:

• will is overcome by force or fear (from threats or by use of drugs).
• mental impairment renders the victim incapable of rational judgment.
• if the victim is below the legal age established for consent.

Substance abuse is an abnormal pattern of substance usage leading to significant distress or impairment. The criteria include one or more of the following occurring within a 12-month period:

• recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfill obligations at home, work, or school.
• using substance in situations that are physically dangerous (i.e., while driving).
• recurrent substance-related legal problems.
• continued usage despite recurrent social and interpersonal problems (i.e., arguments and fights with significant other).

Abuse of the elderly is common and occurs mostly as a result of caretaker burnout, due to the high level of dependency frail, elderly patients usually require. Abuse can be manifested by physical signs, fear, and delaying or not reporting the need for advanced medical care. Elderly patients also may exhibit financial abuse (money or possessions taken away) and abandonment.

Emotional abuse generally continues even after physical assaults have stopped. In most cases it is a personally tailored form of verbal or gesture abuse expressed to illicit a provoked response.

Causes and symptoms

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 the United States were killed by a former or current male partner. Approximately one-third of emergency room consultations by women were prompted due to domestic violence. Female victims who are married also have a higher rate of internal injuries and unconsciousness than victims of stranger assault (mugging, robbery). Physical abuse or rape also can occur between married persons and persons of the same gender. Perpetrators usually sexually assault their victims to dominate, hurt, and debase them. It is common for physical and sexual violence to occur at the same time. A large percentage of sexually assaulted persons were also physically abused in the form of punching, beating, or threatening the victim with a weapon such as a gun or knife. Usually males who are hurt and humiliated tend to physically assault people whom they are intimately involved with, such as spouses and/or children. Males who assault a female tend to have experienced or witnessed violence during childhood. They also tend to abuse alcohol, to be sexually assaultive, and are at increased risk for assaultive behavior directed against children. Jealous males tend to monitor a women's movements and whereabouts and to isolate other sources of protection and support. They interpret their behavior as betrayal of trust and this causes resentment and explosive anger outbursts during periods of losing control. Males also may use aggression against females in an effort to control and intimidate partners.

Abuse in the elderly usually occurs in the frail, elderly community. The caretaker is usually the perpetrator. Caretaker abuse can be suspected if there is evidence suggesting behavioral changes in the elderly person when the caretaker is present. Additionally, elderly abuse can be possible if there are delays between injuries and treatment, inconsistencies between injury and explanations, lack of hygiene or clothing, and prescriptions not being filled.

Diagnosis

Children who are victims of domestic violence frequently are injured attempting to protect their mother from an abusive partner. Injuries are visible by inspection or self-report. Physical abuse of an adult may also be evident by inspection with visible cuts and/or bruises or self-report.

Key terms

Encopresis — Abnormalities relating to bowel movements that can occur as a result of stress or fear.

Sexual abuse of both a child and an adult can be diagnosed with a history from the victim. Victims can be assessed for signs of ejaculatory evidence from the perpetrator. Ejaculatory specimens can be retrieved from the mouth, rectum, and clothing. Tests for sexually transmitted diseases may be performed.

Elderly abuse can be suspected if the elderly patient demonstrates a fear of the caretaker. Additionally, elderly abuse can be suspected if there are signs indicating intentional delay of required medical care or a change in medical status.

Substance abuse can be suspected in a person who continues to indulge in their drug of choice despite recurrent negative consequences. The diagnosis can be made after administration of a comprehensive exam and standardized chemical abuse assessments by a therapist.

Treatment

Children who are victims of physical or sexual abuse typically require psychological support and medical attention. A complaint may be filed with the local family social services agency that will initiate investigations. The authorities usually will follow up the allegation or offense. Children may also be referred for psychological evaluation and/or treatment. The victim also may be placed in foster care pending the investigation outcome. The police also may investigate physical and sexual abuse of an adult. The victim may require immediate medical care and long-term psychological treatment. It is common for children to be adversely affected by domestic violence situations and the local family services agency may be involved.

Substance abusers should elect treatment, either inpatient or outpatient, depending on severity of addiction. Long term treatment and/or medications may be utilized to assist in abstinence. The patient should be encouraged to participate in community centered support groups.

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on the diagnosis. Usually victims of physical and sexual abuse require therapy to deal with emotional distress associated with the incident. Perpetrators require further psychological evaluation and treatment. Victims of abuse may have a variety of emotional problems including depression, acts of suicide, or anxiety. Children of sexual abuse may enter abusive relationships or have problems with intimacy as adults. The substance abuser may experience relapses, since the cardinal feature of all addictive disorders is a tendency to return to symptoms. Elderly patients may suffer from further medical problems and/or anxiety, and in some cases neglect may precipitate death.

Prevention

Prevention programs are geared to education and awareness. Detection of initial symptoms or characteristic behaviors may assist in some situations. In some cases treatment may be sought before incident. The professional treating the abused persons must develop a clear sense of the relationship dynamics and the chances for continued harm.

Resources

Books

Behrman, Richard E., et al, editors. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 16th ed. W. B. Saunders Company, 2000.

Periodicals

Plante, Thomas G. "Another Aftershock: What Have We Learned from the John Jay Report?." America (March 22, 2004): 10.

Organizations

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information. 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20447. (800) 392-3366.

Other

Elder Abuse Prevention. http://www.oaktrees.org/elder.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.nida.nih.gov.

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abuse (ah-būs´) misuse, maltreatment, or excessive use.

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child abuse  see battered-child syndrome.

drug abuse  substance a.

physical abuse  any act resulting in a nonaccidental physical injury.

psychoactive substance abuse  substance a.

sexual abuse  assault or other crime of a sexual nature, which need not be physical. Acts of a sexual nature are considered abuse if performed with minors or nonconsenting adults.

substance abuse  use of a substance that modifies mood or behavior in a manner characterized by a maladaptive pattern of use. See also substance dependence, under dependence.

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a·buse (-byz)

v.

1. To use wrongly or improperly; misuse.

2. To hurt or injure physically by maltreatment.

3. To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.

4. To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.

n. (-bys)

1. Improper use or handling, as of a drug; misuse.

2. Physical maltreatment, as of a spouse or child.

3. The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another.

4. Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an adult and a minor or with a person of diminished mental capacity.

5. Insulting or coarse language.

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a·buser n.

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abuse

[abyo̅o̅s′]

Etymology: L, abuti, to waste, abusus, using up,

1 improper use of equipment, a substance, or a service, such as a drug or program, either intentionally or unintentionally. See also substance abuse.

2 physical or verbal attack or injury. An example is child abuse.

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abuse,

n the improper use of program benefits, resources, and/or services by either dental professionals, institutions, or patients.

abuse, child,

n See child abuse.

abuse, drug,

n the misuse of legal or illegal substances with the intent to alter the user's feelings, behavior, or perception.

abuse, elder,

n the behavior or treatment toward an elderly person, by another person in a position of care, that has the purpose or effect of harming the elderly person's well-being. Such harm may include economic, physical, sexual, or mental abuse.

abuse, nitrous oxide,

n the deliberate inhalation of nitrous oxide to produce mood-altering effects. A type of substance abuse.

abuse, polysubstance,

n the physical dependence on at least three substances that have been classified as habit forming, but without any one of the substances having greater importance or influence than the others. The concept does not include caffeine or nicotine.

abuse, sexual,

n sexual acts performed with children or with nonconsenting adults in a criminal manner.

abuse, substance,

n the misuse of legal or illegal substances with the intent to alter some aspect of the user's experience. May include medications, illicit drugs, legal substances with potential mood-altering effects (such as alcohol or tobacco), or substances whose primary use may not be for human consumption (such as inhalants).

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abuse

misuse, maltreatment or excessive use.

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animal abuse

a modern day concept by which the trust that animals should have in humans, in return for the benefits that they bestow, is betrayed when humans abuse animals physically or psychologically. The abuses often stop short of cruelty in a legal sense but can be classified as harassment. The term has a variable but generally wide scope and includes physical cruelty by assault, by deprivation of adequate food, water, transport and shelter, and proper care during illness, pregnancy and parturition, and participation in sporting events at a level beyond the animal's capacity to perform. This form of abuse covers such misuses as riding horses in rodeos, excessively arduous endurance rides, ignominious performances and exhibits, oppressive displays of obedience. Mental or psychological abuse is less readily defined but in today's culture is usually taken to include undue confinement, demeaning performance as entertainment and harassment by teasing.

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abuse

Public health A behavior defined as '… the willful infliction of physical pain, injury, or mental anguish, or willful deprivation by a caretaker of services necessary for physical and/or mental well being.' Cf Battered child, Battered wife syndrome, Child abuse, Child sexual abuse, Domestic violence, Elder abuse, Emotional abuse, Institutional abuse, Medical student abuse, Physical abuse, Psychological abuse, Sexual abuse, Solvent abuse, Substance abuse, Super Bowl Sunday abuse, Verbal abuse.

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Patient discussion about Animal abuse.

Q. Can anybody tell me the point where I should be worried that I've become an alcoholoic? What is the definition of an alcoholist?

A. Since you are asking the question I think you already know the answer. No one asks this question out of the blue. Being an alcoholic is different for everyone. But if it has disrupted your life or the lives of those around you in any way, I would say yeah, you might want to talk to someone about quitting or at minimum controlling your drinking. But if you are truly an alcoholic you can never drink again. Not one sip. You will learn that one drink is too many and a thousand is never enough. If this question is for someone else, all you can do is be supportive of them whatever their decision is.

Q. Can bipolar disorder be accompanied by alcoholism or drug abuse? I was wondering if it is common for bipolar individual's to use alcohol or drugs to "buffer" mood swings?

A. It is common for bipolar people to used drugs and/or alcohol. It is called self medicating. One of the first questions you are asked when having your first consoltation at a mood disorder clinic or psychiatry evaluation is if you are using drugs or alcohol. People with mental illness often find that the effects of drugs or alcohol give them a mental break (if you will) from the effects of their illness. It is important for that person to seek help and begin proper medications to help control the illness and for that person to be honest with their psychiatrist or theropist about their drug and alcohol use.

Q. what is a sentimental abuse? in what ways does it show? i think my boyfriend is abusing me and playing with my emotions , does it call "Sentimental Abuse" , who do i need to see to get over it ?

A. In any situation any kind of abuse is wrong... If he is playing with your emotions sometimes it is good to see a councellor or someone you can talk to to get your feelings out in the open, sometimes it works sometimes it don't.... I just got out of an abusive relationship although it was not my emotions he was playing with it still helped to seek out someone that will listen maybe give suggestions on how you can either get out or fix the problem.