Signs of Sibling Abuse


"The largest enabler of sibling abuse is a sibling that is given too much responsibility," said Susan Fletcher, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Parenting in the Smart Zone.  "Often, an older child is given the responsibility of caring for a younger sibling before they are actually mature enough to do so.  This can cause them to act out in what they view as 'adult behaviors' and emotional and possibly physical abuse can be the result."

Parents can watch for the following signs to identify issues with sibling abuse that go beyond normal sibling rivalry. 

·        Failure to thrive

·        Weight loss or gain

·        Anxiety and/or depression

·        Listlessness

·        Phobias or unexplainable fears

·        Personal space or privacy issues

·        Difficulty with authority

·        Passivity

·        Low self-esteem

·        Nightmares, difficulty sleeping or a sudden fear of the dark

·        Irrational anger

·        Emotional outbursts

·        Frequent illnesses

·        Withdrawal from the family unit or friends

·        Sympathy issues


About Susan Fletcher, Ph.D.
Susan Fletcher, Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist specializing in helping individuals, professionals and organizations apply strategies for immediate improvement. Fletcher uses her expertise and experience to teach people how to develop their own best practices to enhance focus, balance and perspective to successfully meet the challenges of today's home and work environments.  A graduate of the University of Florida, Fletcher has worked with "Dr. Phil" McGraw, serving as a litigation specialist on high-profile cases.  Fletcher's private practice, Fletcher & Associates Psychological Services, P.A., is based in Plano, Texas and serves a variety of patients from adults to children.  Fletcher's Smart Zone™ techniques have been the basis of presentations across the country and can be applied to a variety of topics.  For more information, please visit www.FletcherPhD.com or www.SmartZoneExpert.com.


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