Childhood emotional neglect affects children with subtle to very obvious symptoms. Much of the damage that occurs due to emotional neglect is often silent in the beginning; however, over time it will appear.

Some of the most common symptoms that appear in children with emotional neglect include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Apathy
• Failure to thrive
• Hyperactivity
• Aggression
• Developmental delays
• Low self-esteem
• Substance misuse
• Withdrawn from friends and activities
• They appear to not care or feel indifferent
• Begin to reject emotional closeness or intimacy

As these children age that have been dealing with childhood neglect, they grow into adults who then must deal with the consequences of childhood neglect. Due to their emotional needs not being met as children, they may not have a good understanding of how to deal with their emotions when they occur.

Some of the most common effects of childhood neglect seen in adults include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Emotionally not available
• Eating disorders are increased
• Shun intimacy
• They feel deeply, but it’s flawed
• Feel empty
• Little to no self-discipline
• Guilt and shame
• Often show anger and aggressive behaviors
• Issues trusting others or relying on others

It has been seen that adults who have experienced childhood emotional neglect may even do the same if they have children. This is due to not learning how to deal with their own emotions, or how to nurture the emotions of their child(ren).

Treatment for childhood emotional neglect is the same whether it is a child or an adult who dealt with childhood emotional neglect, the options for treatment include:

1.Therapy

Children will learn to cope with their emotions in a much healthier way with the help of a psychologist or a therapist. These professionals will help the child to learn how to identify, accept, and then express their emotions in a healthy way.

2.Family Therapy

If a child is dealing with emotional neglect at home, family therapy can often help not only the child but also the parents of the child. A therapist will help the parents understand the impact their actions are having on their child, and from there the child will learn ways to cope with the issues they are already dealing with.

Early intervention of childhood emotional neglect may help to modify and correct the behaviors of the child that lead to the neglect they are dealing with as well as any consequences that may arise because of it.

3.Parenting classes

Parents who are emotionally neglecting their child will benefit from a parenting class, as these classes help parents and guardians or caregivers learn the necessary skills to recognize, listen and respond to the child’s many emotions.

Childhood emotional neglect can occur from instances of humiliation, isolation, shaming, and emotional neglect. This is considered trauma, as it can last well into the adult years and cause issues down the road for them when they are adults or if they become parents. If not dealt with within the lifetime, the individual’s emotional childhood neglect could go on and continue to hurt more individuals and continue to be a trend.

The easiest way to find a therapist that specializes in childhood emotional neglect is to search on a search engine like google to find the closest therapist that deals with childhood emotional neglect. While you may want to start your search immediately, we want to make it even easier for you, and let you know that Reaching Resolution specializes in childhood emotional neglect, and our knowledgeable and experienced therapists are available whenever you are ready. For more information call us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 9719 Northeast Parkway, Suite 100 Matthews NC 28105. We serve clients from Matthews NC, Charlotte NC, Mint Hill NC, Indian Trail NC, Pineville NC, and Stallings NC.