How Emotional Abandonment In Childhood Can Impact An Adult; Mental Health Expert Weighs In

Every child requires compassion, love, and support. When these factors are present in a parent-child bond, the child grows up to be a more secure, empathetic, and emotionally stable adult. However, when a child faces emotional abandonment or is deprived of the appropriate amount of love and care from caregivers, they are likely to grow up to become insecure, unstable, and emotionally suppressed.

To know the impact of childhood emotional abandonment on adults, we spoke to Mansi Poddar, a Trauma-informed psychotherapist who gave us some essential insights. Keep reading to know more.

How Emotional Abandonment In Childhood Can Impact Adults

Individuals who experienced emotional abandonment in childhood often struggle with:

Difficulty Trusting Others

A deep-rooted fear of abandonment can stop them from building genuine connections.

Emotional Numbness

By adulthood, individuals may develop a coping mechanism of emotional detachment, resulting in difficulty accepting and expressing emotions.

Self-Worth Issues

Feeling emotionally abandoned in childhood can tamper self-esteem and make one feel unworthy.

Relationship Challenges

Individuals with these issues often suffer from mental health issues like intimacy issues, dependency, or avoidance.

Mental Health Issues

Emotional abandonment can lead to the development of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

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Impact Of Emotional Neglect

Poddar says, “Emotions are essential to our human experience. They serve as a compass, guiding our behaviour and decisions. When we suppress emotions, they don't simply disappear; they often manifest in other ways, such as physical symptoms, relationship problems, or mental health issues.”

The consequences of emotional suppression are:

Physical Health Issues

“Chronic stress, a common result of suppressed emotions, can lead to a range of physical ailments, including heart disease, digestive problems, sleeping issues, autoimmune diseases and weakened immune function,” states Poddar.

Mental Health Challenges

Neglecting your emotions can develop anxiety and depression and even encourage substance abuse as individuals seek unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Impaired Relationships

“Difficulty expressing emotions can hinder the development of deep and meaningful connections with others,” advises Poddar.

Even though our minds are powerful, they are not meant to override our emotional experiences. It is essential to acknowledge and accept our emotions for overall well-being. Seek healthy ways to channel and express your emotions instead of suppressing them.

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