Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristics of YellingEffects of Being Yelled AtYelling and the BrainWhy People YellAvoiding Yelling at OthersCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics of Yelling
Effects of Being Yelled At
Yelling and the Brain
Why People Yell
Avoiding Yelling at Others
Coping
Being yelled at has significant effects on both the body and the brain. The trauma response to being yelled at includes increased activity in theamygdala(the emotional response part of our brains), increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increased muscle tension.
Living withverbal abusefrom a parent, spouse, or loved one can change how you think about yourself. Verbal abuse usually involves using psychological force to cause emotional pain.
This article will provide an overview of the trauma responses to being yelled at and how to cope with them.
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Can You Be Traumatized By Yelling?
Yelling is a common occurrence in most households, and it’s estimated that about 90% of American parents have reported using harsh verbal discipline at least once.The purpose of yelling is usually to control another person’s behavior, using psychological force to cause emotional pain or discomfort.
Severe verbal discipline takes yelling to a new level and is more harmful. It may include swearing, cursing, name-calling, or insulting. Severe verbal discipline has been associated with conduct problems in children and adolescents. It may also lead to higher physical aggression, delinquency, and interpersonal problems.
Over time, verbal abuse can be traumatizing for children and adults alike. To protect yourself from the psychological harm of being yelled at, talk with a trusted healthcare provider, social worker, or teacher about how to address the situation.
The Psychological Effects of Being Yelled At
Anxiety
Children who grow up in a house with frequent yelling are more likely to developanxietyin adolescence. This may be due to the higher levels of stress they experience.
Symptomsof anxiety may include:Frequent worriesWithdrawing from social lifePanic attacksRecurrent nightmares
Symptomsof anxiety may include:
Depression
Yelling frequently can lead todepressionin teenagers. Studies show that when parents use severe verbal discipline on 13-year-olds, those teens are more likely to develop behavioral problems and symptoms of depression.
Symptoms of depressionmay include:Low moodAgitationSleepdisturbancesFatigueChanges in appetiteDifficulty concentrating
Symptoms of depressionmay include:
Stress
It’s not surprising to learn that being yelled at is a stressful experience. Harsh verbal punishment leads to chronicstressover time. Yelling is also stressful for the yellers themselves. Research shows that parental yelling can lead to behavioral problems in adolescents. At the same time, adolescents who display behavioral problems raise the risk of parents yelling to address the behavior.
Autonomic Arousal
People who are frequently yelled at tend to be in a state of autonomic arousal most of the time. Autonomic arousal includes the “fight or flight” response. For example, you may notice a faster heart rate or shallow breathing. A study found that children and teens who are anxious experience autonomic arousal.Chronic autonomic arousal can lead to problems with muscle tension, gastrointestinal symptoms like reflux and bloating, and even cardiovascular risks like heart attack and stroke.
Behavioral Problems
Yelling can affect the behavioral and emotional development of adolescents. Teenagers who are regularly yelled at are more likely to have conduct problems. This can lead to more yelling from parents to control the behavior.
Interpersonal Problems
Low Self-Esteem
When you are yelled at frequently, it can affect how you see yourself. Adolescents tend to adopt negative views of themselves when a parent uses insults in their yelling.For example, if a parent repeatedly told you that you were lazy, you would likely adopt this belief about yourself.
Sleep Issues
It’s common for those who are frequently yelled at to have problems with their sleep. Adolescents who are verbally abused report trouble both falling and stayingasleep. Individuals who experience anxiety and stress are also more likely to have sleep problems.Long-term sleep problems can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disruption, and type 2 diabetes.
Adjustment Issues
Being yelled at over time can lead to issues with adjustment and attachment. Individuals subjected to harsh verbal punishment at age 13 are more likely to develop conduct problems and depressive symptoms at age 14. Yelling causes decreased self-confidence, which can also cause individuals to become less social.
Physical Health Problems
In addition to the psychological harm, yelling also leads to physical health problems. A study found that severe verbal punishment, like insulting a child, is linked to an increased risk ofcancer,heart disease,andasthmain adulthood.
How Does Yelling Affect the Brain?
Being yelled at can change the brain over time. For example, one study found that individuals who experienced verbal abuse from their parents had changes in the development of structures and the neural pathways in the brain. This can lead to cognitive and emotional problems.
What can you do after being yelled at?After being yelled at, it is important to make your safety the main priority. Remove yourself from the situation if you can. Talk with someone you trust about the situation and how it makes you feel, and ask for help. Consider trying mindfulness or relaxation exercises to calm down.
What can you do after being yelled at?
After being yelled at, it is important to make your safety the main priority. Remove yourself from the situation if you can. Talk with someone you trust about the situation and how it makes you feel, and ask for help. Consider trying mindfulness or relaxation exercises to calm down.
Why Do People Yell?
An individual may use yelling to try to assert themselves or gain attention. Research shows that yelling is rarely a single event. Most people who yell tend to do it frequently.
After reviewing all the harm that yelling can cause, you may feel ashamed of times when you have yelled in the past. While we all lose our tempers from time to time, it is possible to yell less.
To avoid yelling, it’s important to stay aware of your own emotions and notice when you’re feeling angry or out of control. When you notice these feelings come up, try one of the following techniques:
Coping With the Effects of Being Yelled At
Being yelled at is emotionally draining, and the effects can be long-lasting. Thus, it’s important to get the help you need. First, consider meeting with a therapist orpsychologistto cope with the verbal abuse and plan how to handle it. Other ways to take care of yourself include:
If you feel unsafe at home or in one of your current relationships, seek help right away. Talk with a trusted healthcare provider, social worker, or teacher. If you can, remove yourself from the abusive relationship.
Summary
Being yelled at has significant effects on both the body and the brain. The psychological effects of being yelled at include anxiety, depression, and interpersonal problems. Other psychological effects of being yelled at include stress, autonomic arousal, behavioral problems, low self-esteem, and sleep problems. To yell less, focus on staying aware of your emotions and getting help when you’re overwhelmed.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Health.The problem with yelling.Wang MT, Kenny S.Longitudinal links between fathers' and mothers' harsh verbal discipline and adolescents' conduct problems and depressive symptoms.Child Dev. 2014;85(3):908-923. doi:10.1111/cdev.12143Rozenman M, Sturm A, McCracken JT, Piacentini J.Autonomic arousal in anxious and typically developing youth during a stressor involving error feedback.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;26(12):1423-1432. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-1001-3American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Teicher MH, Ohashi K, Khan A, et al.Does sleep disruption mediate the effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure?Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;8(Suppl 7):1450594. doi:10.1080/20008198.2018.1450594Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME.Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption.Nature and Science of Sleep. 2017;9:151. doi:10.2147/NSS.S134864Hovdestad WE, Shields M, Shaw A, Tonmyr L.Childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for cancer: findings from a population-based survey of Canadian adults.BMC cancer. 2020;20(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-6481-8Galli F, Lai C, Gregorini T, Ciacchella C, Carugo S.Psychological traumas and cardiovascular disease: a case-control study.Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(7):875. doi:10.3390/healthcare9070875Gaietto K, Celedón JC.Child maltreatment and asthma.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022;57(9):1973-1981. doi:10.1002/ppul.25982Thomason ME, Marusak HA.Toward understanding the impact of trauma on the early developing human brain.Neuroscience. 2017;342:55-67. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.022Good Therapy.When yelling is a pattern.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coping with stress.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Alliance on Mental Health.The problem with yelling.Wang MT, Kenny S.Longitudinal links between fathers' and mothers' harsh verbal discipline and adolescents' conduct problems and depressive symptoms.Child Dev. 2014;85(3):908-923. doi:10.1111/cdev.12143Rozenman M, Sturm A, McCracken JT, Piacentini J.Autonomic arousal in anxious and typically developing youth during a stressor involving error feedback.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;26(12):1423-1432. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-1001-3American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Teicher MH, Ohashi K, Khan A, et al.Does sleep disruption mediate the effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure?Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;8(Suppl 7):1450594. doi:10.1080/20008198.2018.1450594Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME.Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption.Nature and Science of Sleep. 2017;9:151. doi:10.2147/NSS.S134864Hovdestad WE, Shields M, Shaw A, Tonmyr L.Childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for cancer: findings from a population-based survey of Canadian adults.BMC cancer. 2020;20(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-6481-8Galli F, Lai C, Gregorini T, Ciacchella C, Carugo S.Psychological traumas and cardiovascular disease: a case-control study.Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(7):875. doi:10.3390/healthcare9070875Gaietto K, Celedón JC.Child maltreatment and asthma.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022;57(9):1973-1981. doi:10.1002/ppul.25982Thomason ME, Marusak HA.Toward understanding the impact of trauma on the early developing human brain.Neuroscience. 2017;342:55-67. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.022Good Therapy.When yelling is a pattern.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coping with stress.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Alliance on Mental Health.The problem with yelling.Wang MT, Kenny S.Longitudinal links between fathers' and mothers' harsh verbal discipline and adolescents' conduct problems and depressive symptoms.Child Dev. 2014;85(3):908-923. doi:10.1111/cdev.12143Rozenman M, Sturm A, McCracken JT, Piacentini J.Autonomic arousal in anxious and typically developing youth during a stressor involving error feedback.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;26(12):1423-1432. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-1001-3American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.Teicher MH, Ohashi K, Khan A, et al.Does sleep disruption mediate the effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure?Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;8(Suppl 7):1450594. doi:10.1080/20008198.2018.1450594Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME.Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption.Nature and Science of Sleep. 2017;9:151. doi:10.2147/NSS.S134864Hovdestad WE, Shields M, Shaw A, Tonmyr L.Childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for cancer: findings from a population-based survey of Canadian adults.BMC cancer. 2020;20(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-6481-8Galli F, Lai C, Gregorini T, Ciacchella C, Carugo S.Psychological traumas and cardiovascular disease: a case-control study.Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(7):875. doi:10.3390/healthcare9070875Gaietto K, Celedón JC.Child maltreatment and asthma.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022;57(9):1973-1981. doi:10.1002/ppul.25982Thomason ME, Marusak HA.Toward understanding the impact of trauma on the early developing human brain.Neuroscience. 2017;342:55-67. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.022Good Therapy.When yelling is a pattern.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coping with stress.
National Alliance on Mental Health.The problem with yelling.
Wang MT, Kenny S.Longitudinal links between fathers' and mothers' harsh verbal discipline and adolescents' conduct problems and depressive symptoms.Child Dev. 2014;85(3):908-923. doi:10.1111/cdev.12143
Rozenman M, Sturm A, McCracken JT, Piacentini J.Autonomic arousal in anxious and typically developing youth during a stressor involving error feedback.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017;26(12):1423-1432. doi:10.1007/s00787-017-1001-3
American Psychological Association.Stress effects on the body.
Teicher MH, Ohashi K, Khan A, et al.Does sleep disruption mediate the effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure?Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2018;8(Suppl 7):1450594. doi:10.1080/20008198.2018.1450594
Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME.Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption.Nature and Science of Sleep. 2017;9:151. doi:10.2147/NSS.S134864
Hovdestad WE, Shields M, Shaw A, Tonmyr L.Childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for cancer: findings from a population-based survey of Canadian adults.BMC cancer. 2020;20(1). doi:10.1186/s12885-019-6481-8
Galli F, Lai C, Gregorini T, Ciacchella C, Carugo S.Psychological traumas and cardiovascular disease: a case-control study.Healthcare (Basel). 2021;9(7):875. doi:10.3390/healthcare9070875
Gaietto K, Celedón JC.Child maltreatment and asthma.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022;57(9):1973-1981. doi:10.1002/ppul.25982
Thomason ME, Marusak HA.Toward understanding the impact of trauma on the early developing human brain.Neuroscience. 2017;342:55-67. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.022
Good Therapy.When yelling is a pattern.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Coping with stress.
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