RCGP Safeguarding toolkit
The aim of this toolkit is to enhance the safeguarding knowledge and skills that GPs already have to enable them to continue to effectively safeguard children and young people, as well as adults at risk of harm.
Part 2C: Identifying adult abuse and neglect
Psychological or emotional abuse
This includes:
- enforced social isolation – preventing someone accessing services, educational and social opportunities and seeing friends
- removing mobility or communication aids or intentionally leaving someone unattended when they need assistance
- preventing someone from meeting their religious and cultural needs
- preventing the expression of choice and opinion
- failure to respect privacy
- preventing stimulation, meaningful occupation or activities
- intimidation, coercion, harassment, use of threats, humiliation, bullying, swearing or verbal abuse
- addressing a person in a patronising or infantilising way
- threats of harm or abandonment
- cyber bullying.
Signs and indicators include:
- an air of silence when a particular person is present
- withdrawal or change in the psychological state of the person
- insomnia
- low self-esteem
- uncooperative and aggressive behaviour
- a change of appetite, weight loss/gain
- signs of distress: tearfulness, anger
- apparent false claims, by someone involved with the person, to attract unnecessary treatment.