Neglect

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Definition:

Neglect - A passive form of abuse in which the physical or emotional needs of a dependent are disregarded or ignored by the person responsible for them.

Doing Harm by Doing Nothing:

Neglect is a form of abuse where inaction rather than direct action leads to the harm of an individual or object. As is the case with other types of abuse neglect may be intermittent, sporadic or inconsistent, and in-between times may be filled with periods of adequate care or sometimes an overwhelming or overcompensating showering with gifts, attention or favors.

Child Neglect

Children are the most vulnerable to neglect, and child neglect is by far the most common form of child abuse recorded in the US, accounting for 71% of reported cases in 2008:

[Child Maltreatment Statistics]

See Larger Chart

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services Child Maltreatment Report 2008

Elder Neglect Prevalence

U. S. Administration on Aging, National estimates of the incidence of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect of persons 60 years and older, 1996 are as follows:

Type Estimated Incidences
Abuse 402,287
Neglect/Abandonment 182,368
Self-Neglect 138,980

Source: U. S. Administration on Aging, National estimates of the incidence of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect of persons 60 years and older, 1996

Examples:

Common forms of neglect include:

Malnourishment
Insufficient supervision
Inadequate medical care
Failure to provide education, maintenance or means of financial support.

Common victims of neglect include:

Children
The Elderly
Victims of Mental Illness
Physically Disabled Individuals
Dependent Spouses and Partners
Property deemed important to these victims
Pets and Livestock

What it feels like:

Neglect toward a dependent individual challenges that person’s sense of self-worth.  They may blame themselves for the treatment they are experiencing, may feel worthless or guilty, and may try to win the favor of their caregiver through performance, bargaining or favors.

Individuals who are exposed to episodes of neglect may begin to go through stages of grief as they come to terms with the sense of loss caused by having their genuine survival and wellbeing needs being ignored.

Long term or sustained, sporadic neglect of an individual will often lead to that person feeling trapped like a prisoner and may result in symptoms of Complex PTSD. In the case of people who are physically vulnerable such as young children, profoundly disabled persons or frail aged people, it can also result in serious medical consequences, or even in extreme cases, death.

Learning to Cope:

Neglect is a serious and often illegal form of abuse. The victim is often a dependent who needs outside help to confront or stop the abuse.

What NOT to do

  • Don’t try to fix it by yourself.
  • Don’t ignore it or write it off as minor or unimportant.
  • Don’t stay in an abusive environment if you can choose otherwise
  • Don’t appeal to the abuser’s logic or reason. A pattern of neglect is a symptom of a mental disorder, it is not the action of someone who is thinking clearly.

What TO do

  • Accept that your body and your emotions are important.
  • Get out of a situation of neglect as quickly and safely as possible.
  • Report situations of neglect that you witness to competent local authorities.
  • Get emotional support. Talk to somebody who understands.

Neglect Links

US Department of Health and Human Services Child Maltreatment Report 2008

U. S. Administration on Aging, National estimates of the incidence of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect of persons 60 years and older, 1996

Related Personality Disorders:

Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive

Links:

US Department of Health and Human Services Child Maltreatment Report 2008

U. S. Administration on Aging, National estimates of the incidence of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect of persons 60 years and older, 1996