When we are emotionally neglected as children our nervous system does the best it can to go into survival mode in an atttempt to protect us ... Since we are completely dependent and vulnerable and unable to “fight or flee” so we go into“freeze” response where we are numb and emotionally shut down in an attempt to not feel our fear and our pain. When no one hears or listens to our “cry” we lose hope as our emotional needs are not noticed or given attention and we feel like we do not exist..Over time our “little child” part gets more frozen and “stuck” and has difficulty moving forward and begins to internalize the emotional neglect and we as adults then begin to neglect ourselves emotionally and due to lack of hope and feelings of helplessness develop a pattern of procrastination and the root is “childhood emotional neglect”.
When we were the most vulnerable and dependent and “emotionally needy(”as we all have been as children )it can feel like a cry deep in our soul when no one hears or seems to care about us. Our mind, will and emotions are what define our soul. For many of us who have been “ traumatically wounded” in childhood: the message we received was that we will not have our emotional reality nurtured or have anyone who can help us to process our emotions in a” healthy” way. You may be becoming more and more aware and of the consequences that are affecting your self-esteem and your relationships as the“little boy or girl part” got stuck in a pattern of “emotional neediness” that needs to be healed so you can move on with hope and start to. understand what is going on inside of you emotionally physically: and spiritually. You may have stuffed your emotions and are now becoming more aware of the consequences related to your childhood trauma.
The way that we learn to connect with others in our relationships is called “attachment style” .Our parents and caregivers play a crucial role i the style of “attachment'‘ we develop.. When as children those adults who are closest are unable to nurture us and be responsive to our needs then in order to survive we often “shut down” emotionally. An“avoidant attachment style” develops as a survival response to fear,, anxiety and feelings of rejection and abandonment.as there is a lack of a secure connection and trust.
Doormats are exploited and dumped on. Doormats are used and often abused. Doormats do not have a voice. Before you can stop being a doormat it is essential that you actually begin to identify and see what the qualities of a doormat are. You may have been well-trained since early childhood to stuff your feelings and your voice and to be a “people pleaser”. and now you feeling depleted and believe the lie that you are powerless.
Childhood sexual abuse creates a deep wound in the soul. As a child you are vulnerable and dependent on adults that are supposed to be there to love and protect you but have failed you. Most childhood sexual abuse happens in families and the perpetrator is often someone you trusted and yet they were not worthy of your trust. And though there were many signs when you were being abused that “something was wrong” no one even noticed. Not being noticed caused even more confusion and pain about your own value as no one heard your “cry” but that “cry” is still inside although muffled over time.
If you have had a childhood history of the "wound" of rejection then the effects of this can continue to feel paralyzing to you as an adult. When we have had critical, rigid, and judgmental caregivers as children we learn at an early age how painful rejection can feel and how it can shut us down emotionally.
You may have been depressed before this difficult season of so much uncertainty and now have been slammed with another wave of feeling hopeless and defeated. This is a time when you can begin to notice if you have developed patterns of avoiding your emotions and that usually goes hand and hand with avoiding conflict.
If you’re suffering from depression, you know how depression can affect your mind, body, and spirit. Shame is often at the root of depression and shame is different than guilt. Guilt is, “I made a mistake,” and shame is, “I am a mistake.” With the right therapist, you can begin to understand the roots of your depression and begin to build a healthy relationship with yourself and others.
