Childhood Emotional Neglect

[l8blmr]

First post. I'm an older person. I've spent the last while sorting issues related to emotional neglect. Mostly social phobia, low self image and a restricted life. I'm happy to discuss what I've learned about emotional neglect (Jonice Webb), TM, SSRI's, mindfulness based CBT or whatever. Hoping to share and learn.

[Hidden]

Along with severe anxiety and depression, I have social anxiety and suffered emotional neglect as a child...

Best wishes 🌺🌹

[l8blmr in reply to Hidden]

Growing up without having made a proper bond with someone as an infant leaves us handicapped in social situations. Everyone seems to know how to be with each other and we're on the outside looking in. Accepting that it happened, letting go of the shame and finding ways to cope are a lot to deal with when no one around you has a clue what your feeling. Glad we could share.

[hypercat54]

Hi I discovered Dr Webb and Childhood Emotional Neglect a couple of years ago and it rang so many bells I was deafened! It's good to meet another CEN. I joined Psyche Central and receive great articles on this including from Dr Webb. I recommend it. x

[l8blmr in reply to hypercat54]

Hello. It was a revelation to find Running on Empty. I'll return to Psych Central and look for related info. Thanks for the tip.

[hypercat54 in reply to l8blmr]

You are welcome. I always wondered why I got depression at such a young age (6/7) when I wasn't physically or sexually abused. I lived in a nice clean home with plenty of good food and was always clean with good clothes. When I found CEN it all made total sense coz that's exactly how I was brought up and had to hide my emotions because they just got me into trouble in my family. No one was ever allowed to be angry, upset, unhappy etc. except my mother. Anything we did was liable to upset her so we crept round on eggshells but never knew what set her off. It was a nightmare. Even today I have great problems handling strong emotions and tend to avoid them. Not the best way I know....

I have had lifelong depression because of my upbringing but have made huge strides in dealing with it and having as good a life as I could. Not perfect but livable whereas before it wasn't. x

[fauxartist]

'Emotional abandonment' is something that leaves scars no one can see, but we feel them everyday. There are so many walking wounded here with these same issues, even though we all have our own story.... the results are the same....your not alone with this.

[l8blmr in reply to fauxartist]

That was good to hear; I have always felt alone with it. Thanks to the internet and many self help books I finally understand. Letting go of all the wasted years and being in the moment is my challenge now. And accepting my limitations with making emotional connections. Thanks.

[fauxartist in reply to l8blmr]

your never alone again.....I have been working on this since the 80's....way back when it was still unclear what abandonment issues were all about.... like depression.... people just did not get it when someone said to them to 'just get over it'...'let the past go'...'forgive and forget'... not so easy or there would be no need for places like this.

[Chief123]

I'm in the same situation, welcome.

[Momneedshelp]

I think I am CEN; just trying to figure it out now. I’ve had long-term chronic depression, but not severe. My spouse is searching for answers to why I am not emotionally connected to him as much he needs. He just happens to be an “empath” which is probably the complete opposite of my emotional existence. He also just discovered his “label” while trying to resesrch my problems. Any and all advice is warmly welcomed with tremendous gratitude for passing it on to me.😊 I wish you all the best in your healing, happiness, and emotional connections too.💐

[l8blmr in reply to Momneedshelp]

Hi. Check out drjonicewebb.com/ There's info and surveys that will help you determine if CEN is your issue.

[Momneedshelp]

I will. Ty so muc!