Healing from “Childhood Emotional Neglect” (CEN)

Childhood Emotional Neglect (as a child or teen) results in emotional disconnect and lack of emotional intelligence.

In a marriage, one or both spouses may need healing from CEN
Spouses who need healing will often exhibit these 10 characteristics…

1. Misread each other's feelings.
2. Avoid discussing difficult topics to avoid conflict.
3. Be unable to argue productively.
4. Focus on logistics rather than feelings.
5. Not confide in each other.
6. React inappropriately if the other confides.
7. Not feel like a team.
8. Feel alone even with their spouse.
9. Have difficulty finding topics to discuss.
10. Feel awkward experiencing positive emotions like love, or only feel them during sex.

When children are emotionally neglected:
Children raised with emotional neglect:

1. Don't know how to express their emotions and don’t feel comfortable expressing their emotions (because they were not asked questions such as “How are you?,” “Are you sad?,” etc.).
2. Don't learn how to recognize and discuss emotions (others or their own)
3. Hide their emotions and may not be aware of them.
4. Do not understand themselves or their own needs or feelings (or others).