Abandonment
Abandonment fears typically stem from a loss in childhood, such as the loss of a parent through death or divorce, but it can also result from inadequate physical or emotional care. In adulthood, these early-childhood experiences result in fear of being abandoned by the significant people in one’s life. While some degree of abandonment fear may be a normal part of being human, when the fear of abandonment is severe, frequent, and impossible to comfort, it can cause significant impairment, particularly with regard to developing healthy relationships.
Psychological Issues Associated with Abandonment A person who has experienced abandonment is likely to encounter long-term psychological challenges, based primarily on the fear that abandonment will recur. For example, a child who was physically abandoned by a parent or caregiver may struggle with mood swings or anger throughout life, and these behaviors may alienate potential intimate partners and friends. When a child does not receive adequate emotional support from a parent, perhaps due to the parent’s own psychological issues, the child may not develop healthy self-esteem. People with low self-esteem often seek out partners and friends who reinforce those negative beliefs. Abandonment fears can impair a person’s ability to trust others, feel worthy, or experience intimacy, and may cause a person to struggle with anxiety, depression, codependence, or other difficulties.
