Being shouted at by parents can alter child’s brain, experts tell UK MPs

‘The critical words received by adults in childhood underpin so much of their later anxiety, pain and distress,’ one expert said. Photograph: Enigma/Alamy

Being shouted at by their parents reshapes children’s brains and makes them more likely to have mental ill-health and struggle to maintain friendships, MPs will hear on Monday.

Verbal abuse by adults can leave children unable to enjoy pleasure and seeing the world as threatening, experts in child development and mental health will tell a meeting at Westminster.