Emotional abandonment is a subjective emotional state in which people feel unwanted, left behind, insecure, or discarded. People experiencing emotional abandonment may feel at a loss. They may believe that they have been removed from an integral source of sustenance or feel withdrawn, either suddenly or through a process of erosion. Emotional abandonment can manifest through loss or separation from a loved one.
Feeling rejected, which is a substantial part of emotional abandonment has a biological impact since it activates the physical pain centers of the brain and can leave an emotional imprint in the brain’s warning system. Emotional abandonment has been a staple of poetry and literature since ancient times.
People who experience feelings of emotional abandonment are more than likely to also experience maladaptive thoughts (” irrational beliefs”) and behaviors which include depressive symptoms and relationship avoidance and/or dependence. This may cause a lot of challenges in everyday life with interpersonal relationships and social settings. Feelings of emotional abandonment can originate from various circumstances.
One’s perception may harm one’s ability to establish and keep close and meaningful relationships with others.
While such maladaptive thoughts and behaviors are sometimes present in the context of certain psychological disorders not all individuals who experience feelings of emotional abandonment will meet the criteria for such psychological disorders. These individuals may function within normal limits in spite of the presence of these emotional difficulties
List of Affirmations
I am safe from abandonment because I have myself.
People may come and go, but I am okay because I have myself. I care for and take care of myself.
I am always there for me, that is all I need to thrive, and live my best life.
My happiness does not depend on other people. I create my own happiness. I myself have that power.
Today, I feel calm, at peace and I am not afraid of being left because the only thing that matters is that I will never leave myself
I am calm and at peace being by myself, with myself and living for myself.
I am a lovable and likeable person.
When people leave it is not because of who I am. I am worthy of all the best.
I deserve the best, to be cared for, loved, and treated well.
I am not afraid of loss, I am strong, able, and confident, I can deal with anything.
The only person I will aim to please is myself.
I will live my truth, support myself and be kind to myself.
Rejection is a part of life, it is not personal and it will not kill me but will make me stronger.
I am not afraid to face my feelings and tell people how I feel.
I seek healthy attachments to others.
I do not need a relationship to define me, I define myself.
I am okay just as I am.
I look forward to working on my issues and developing my feelings of self love.
My feelings are just feelings, I have the courage to deal with them.
I have to courage to heal myself, my abandonment issues will not overcome me.