Is your teen struggling with issues associated with child abuse? In addition to the symptoms below, are there serious behavioral issues such as family conflict, abusive behavior, abrupt changes in personality, etc? Are there anger problems, school issues, or experimentation with drugs and alcohol? We have information that may help in your search for teen help. For residential services (specialized boarding schools), or for FREE teen help, see our resources on the right..

Teens struggling with issues that appear to be related to child abuse often exhibit complex problems. Although the following symptoms do not absolutely indicate child abuse, symptoms such as these are cause for further investigation:

Sexual Abuse

• Being overly affectionate or sexually aware in an age-inappropriate manner
• Chronic itching and pain in the genitals; STD's
• Extreme emotional and behavioral issues such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, drug overdose, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, etc.
• Personality changes indicating insecurity or "clinginess"
• Regression to younger, age-inappropriate behavior patterns such as thumb-sucking or fascination with previously discarded cuddly toys
• Sudden loss of appetite or eating compulsions
• Has become isolated or withdrawn
• Displays an inability to concentrate
• Has developed a lack of trust or fear of someone with whom they are familiar, such as not wanting to be alone with a babysitter, coach, or adult relative
• Sudden onset of bed wetting
• Sudden onset of day or night "nightmares"
• Shows anxiety about clothing being removed
• Has begun drawing sexually explicit pictures
• Tries to be "ultra-good" or perfect
• Overreacts to criticism

Physical Abuse

• Unexplained and recurring injuries or burns (including abrasive burns)
• Bizarre excuses for, and/or refusal to explain injuries
• Covering injuries with clothing, even in hot weather
• Refusal to dress/undress for gym classes
• Bald patches on scalp
• Chronic issues with running away
• Fear of, or unwillingness to submit to medical help or examination
• Self-destructive issues, including risky behavior, self-mutilation, and dangerous thrill-seeking
• Aggression and anger issues
• Anxious about physical contact - pulling away if touched
• Acknowledging that they have been punished, although the punishment is clearly excessive (such as nightly beatings to make him/her "do homework")
• Expresses fear at the thought of the suspected abuser being contacted

Emotional Abuse

• Developmental lagging in physical, mental, and emotional areas
• Sudden onset of speech disorders and problems
• Constant or regular self-depreciation ("I'm stupid, ugly, worthless, etc.")
• Obvious emotional overreaction to mistakes
• Extreme fear of new situations or unfamiliar circumstances
• Bizarre or inappropriate responses to pain ("I deserve this")
• Neurotic behavior symptoms (rocking, hair twisting, self-mutilation)
• Extreme passiveness or aggression issues

Abuse through Neglect

• Expresses constant hunger
• Constant poor personal hygiene
• Constant problems with being fatigued or tired
• Clothing is in regular disrepair
• Emaciation (skinny, bony, physically starved)
• Untreated or ignored medical problems
• Lack of social relationships
• Compulsive scavenging or hoarding
• Destructive behaviors or issues

Combined Child Abuse

• An abused child or teen may be (or may have been) subjected to a combination of various kinds of abuse. It is also possible that a child will show no outward signs of the abuse, and will hide what is happening to him/her from everyone.