Emotional neglect can come from a range of relationships such as from parents, loved ones, friends and even romantic partners. The impact of emotional neglect can be significant and childhood emotional neglect can affect us way into adulthood too. But what exactly is emotional neglect, and what is the impact it has on our mental health?Please keep reading to learn more about emotional neglect, what it is, and what it can do to our mental health. Also, learn more about the benefits of therapy for overcoming the impact of emotional neglect and looking towards a brighter and healthier future for our mental health and happiness.

What is Emotional Neglect?

Emotional neglect is often defined as a relationship pattern in which an individual’s affectional needs are consistently disregarded, ignored, invalidated, or unappreciated by another. In simpler terms, emotional neglect is when our emotional needs are ignored and overlooked.Emotional neglect can come in many different forms. It could be a parent setting unrealistic expectations for their child, disregarding the emotional impact this had. It could also be a partner invalidating your emotional experiences to the point you begin to doubt yourself. This impacts our mental health considerably, leading to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.Many of us may not even realise we suffer from emotional neglect. Most often, it is a silent and invisible occurrence. As a result, we question where our depression, anxiety, or stress around relationships may come from. So why do we face these emotions? The answer could be emotional neglect which you have faced.

Symptoms of Emotional Neglect

Emotional neglect can be difficult to identify too. For children facing childhood emotional neglect, it is even harder for them to recognise the neglect they face until symptoms appear in adulthood. However, if you are an adult in contact with children, it may be helpful to recognise signs of emotional neglect. As an adult who is confused about their emotions and relationships, looking into signs of emotional neglect will also help you understand your relationships some more.Symptoms of emotional neglect include, but are not limited to:

• Feeling like something is missing but not being sure of what it is.
• Feeling numb to one’s feelings.
• Feeling hollow or empty inside.
• Being easily overwhelmed or discouraged.
• Suffering from perfectionism.
• Suffering from low self-esteem.
• Being especially sensitive to rejection.

Therapy for Emotional Neglect

So how can therapy support someone looking to overcome the impact emotional neglect has had on their mental health? First, therapy can provide clients with a safe space to explore the emotional neglect they have suffered and share their innermost thoughts and feelings with someone they have developed a trusting relationship with.Through therapy, you can gain insight into one’s feelings and accept them as a part of who you are. We can understand the meaning of different emotions and what they tell us about our minds and mental health. Through years of education and experience, I can share ways to self-soothe and self-care unique to your situation. Through these experiences and many more via therapy, you can gradually build better relationships with others and learn how to accept yourself and understand your emotional needs and their importance.Please look at my website to learn more about how I can support your ongoing mental health journey. For many people suffering trauma and neglect from their childhood, their emotions can be confusing and can lead to severe mental health issues in adulthood. To learn more about how I can help you take control of your mental health and happiness again, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me.