Dealing With The Harshness Of Rejection

All of us want and need to feel accepted, loved, and cared for. It is one of the basic psychological necessities of human existence that start in childhood, and follow us to and through adulthood. 

That is why experiencing any type and extent of emotional neglect, and the fear of suffering emotional abandonment is harsh and destabilizing. And why even being ignored by the person you care for hurts

If you’re currently undergoing mental strain due to one or several of these psychological issues, perhaps you should think about attending a love addiction intensive workshop where you can work on easing, accepting and overcoming the pain of rejection. Learning about the minutiae of emotional rejection and how it can negatively affect your life if left uncared for is the first step in enhancing your emotional well-being. .

Why Is Rejection So Hard?

What Does Rejection Do To A Person?

Rejection is an act of being willfully pushed away from a person you care about. You can experience rejection from a partner, family members, coworkers, or friends, and no matter who  rejects you, it can still cause emotional pain and distress. 

In some relationships, emotional rejection may be a logical continuation of extended periods of emotional manipulation. However, not everybody will clearly communicate the reasons for rejecting you, and it is not uncommon that you remain out of the loop when it comes to the underlying cause. 

This is why rejection can be extremely hard, especially when you’re left without any kind of explanation. At other times, it is the intensity of the ended relationship that intensifies the pain. Whatever the type of rejection you’re experiencing, chances are that it may lead to emotional distress, negative effects on your self-esteem, and even, in some cases, depression.

The 3 Types Of Rejection

There are three main types of rejection, each with its own set of emotional encumbrances and psychological hardships. No matter the kind of rejection you’re going through, it is always wise to seek help if you’re struggling to overcome and accept the situation.

  1. Familial rejection – This type of rejection most commonly involves parental rejection, but it can also mean that you’re being rejected by your sibling. It can include different types of emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, or the lack of affection and love. This kind of emotional rejection can leave individuals dealing with the consequences throughout their lives. 
  2. Social rejection – Most often, individuals suffer this form of rejection very early in their childhood. It can range from school alienation to numerous kinds of bullying. However, it can extend beyond childhood into adulthood, and various social groups. The individuals who tend to challenge the norm are more prone to this type of rejection. 
  3. Relationship rejection – This type of rejection is mostly reserved for romantic relationships. It can range from your partner refusing to share an experience with you to actually ending the relationship. This is the type of rejection that usually causes immediate and intense emotional distress. In these cases, intensive coaching sessions can be highly beneficial.

What Does Rejection Do To A Person?

The initial response of suffering rejection is emotional pain. While some types of rejection have a way of resolving themselves quickly, such as experiencing rejection by rude unfamiliar people, other forms of rejection can have more serious consequences:

  1. Trauma

    Rejection that causes extreme feelings, as well as long-term rejection, can have significant psychological effects on a person. For example, if a child suffers constant emotional rejection by parents, it may result in difficulties at school or problems with forming relationships later on in life due to fear of rejection. 

  2. Depression

    There are instances that link rejection to depression. Although this happens in extreme cases, the mere possibility of rejection leading to depression means that emotional repercussions of rejection have to be addressed. 

  3. Stress and anxiety

    If you’re already battling stress and anxiety, rejection can worsen their symptoms. Additionally, experiencing rejection can also cause anxiety and stress, which is something to pay attention to.

  4. Physical pain

    While psychological and emotional pain are most common results, rejection can cause a person to experience actual physical pain. The parts of our brain activated when withstanding physical pain are the same ones that activate when you experience emotional pain. 

Why Does Rejection Cause Obsession?

On the one hand, even the fear of being rejected by an individual you care for, either romantically or in a different way, can lead to us developing clingy and obsessive behavioral patterns.

On the other hand, there’s also a biological explanation as to why rejection may cause obsessive behavior. Romantic rejection stimulates the same parts of our brain that are in charge of keeping us motivated.

Also, it affects the parts of our brain associated with addiction, rewards, and cravings. This is the biological explanation of why, when a person romantically rejects you, you tend to develop feelings of obsessive devotion.

However, there are multiple ways to explain this obsessive psychological trend. For instance, you may think it’s your fault, and you’re trying to make up for your mistakes. Perhaps you think the person’s still the perfect one for you. Whatever the reasons, it’s not uncommon for rejection to have obsessive ramifications.

How Do You Deal With Rejection In A Relationship?

There are ways to deal with emotional rejection in a healthy, constructive way. Sometimes your attempts to overcome love addiction won’t amount to much without seeking help from qualified relationship advocates. However, this should not stop you from trying to employ the following techniques:

Feel Everything

Allow yourself the luxury of letting all the feelings, both positive and negative, flow through you. Let yourself experience them all. Don’t hide from them, don’t try pushing them away. Embrace them and make the first step toward recovery.

Understand The Pain

Make sure you don’t fall into denial. Be realistic and come to terms with the fact that you are going to hurt and that things are about to get painful. It is through this process of understanding and acceptance that the process of healing begins.

Don’t Blame Yourself

It is normal for people who are dealing with rejection to start blaming themselves rather quickly all the while idealizing the other person. But know this – it wasn’t just your fault. It takes two to tango, just as it takes two to end it.

Allow Yourself Some Compassion

Don’t just stop at not blaming yourself. Go a step further and grant yourself some compassion. Surround yourself with people who will provide you with compassion and support, too. Do this not because you need anybody’s approval or acceptance, but because you should have people who will understand and listen to you without judgement. 

Don’t Let It Define You

You’re more than the sum of all the negative feelings currently swirling inside you. You’re more than the pain you’re experiencing, and you’re more than the one that’s just been rejected. You’re more than the way you’re feeling now, and don’t forget it!

Learn From It

Learn not just from your mistakes, but from the way you’ve been treated, the way the relationships transpired, and the manner in which it ended. Take some time to make the idealistic rose-colored picture a bit more realistic, and you’ll find solace in it.

Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Help

Finally, don’t be frightened of asking for help. There are professional relationship advocates who have experience and knowledge to help the people who are going through the same things as you. Professionals can address an array of issues, including rejection, emotional attachment, love addiction and obsession, etc.They can help you navigate through it all and identify negative behavioral patterns that you can change. 

Come To Terms With Rejection In Our Love Addiction Intensive Workshop

Why Does Rejection Cause Obsession?

Emotional rejection may be an ongoing issue even between long-term partners, without leading to a break-up, but with highly damaging consequences. If you feel like the time for getting help, consider turning to professionals. 

At PIVOT, we provide various intensive love addiction workshops for couples, and we can also teach you plenty of methods to help you recognize and enhance emotional intimacy in your future relationships through individual coaching with our advocates

No need to deal with such a flood of emotions all alone. Reach out to our seasoned PIVOT advocates as soon as possible and be quickly on your way to a happy continuation of your life. Contact us today!

Emotional Neglect In Childhood: How Does It Affect Relationships?

Every child has basic emotional needs that should be fulfilled by their parents or caregivers. If that is not the case, the child may grow up carrying a deep emotional wound within them that might adversely affect their self-esteem and relationships later on in life. 

Emotional neglect comes in many shapes and forms that can have varying effects on your adult life. For instance, you may struggle with emotional intimacy issues, intense fear of abandonment, or have trouble dealing with rejection in your relationships because of the attachment patterns you’ve known since childhood. 

No matter what your core emotional wound may be, remember that you can heal and have healthy and happy relationships in your life. All it takes is a little bit of self-reflection and a lot of patience. Read on to learn more about emotional neglect and you can overcome it. 

What Are The 4 Types Of Neglect?

What Is Considered Emotional Neglect?

Although childhood neglect covers a wide range of behaviors, there are four main types you may be able to recognize. These are: 

  • Physical neglect: this type of neglect occurs when the parent or caregiver fails to provide the child with basic care and necessities, like clothing, shelter, and food. It may also include leaving your children alone for long time periods. 
  • Emotional neglect: a child who is emotionally neglected may feel rejected, ignored, isolated, or threatened by their caregivers or parents. The child may be denied attention, support, or another form of emotional care they need to live a fulfilling life. 
  • Educational neglect: some parents don’t give their children adequate educational opportunities, They may stop the child from going to school, insist on homeschooling them but failing to do so, and so on. 
  • Medical neglect: this form of neglect happens when the parent fails to provide proper healthcare for the child, despite being financially or circumstantially able to do so. This can lead to the child experiencing serious health issues, both in childhood and later in life. 

What Is Considered Emotional Neglect?

In a nutshell, emotional neglect happens when a child’s parents or caregivers fail to meet the child’s basic emotional needs. While the effects of emotional neglect can overlap with the effects of emotional abuse, these two terms are not interchangeable. 

The main difference here is that emotional abuse tends to be intentional, while neglect does not have to be. For instance, a parent may fail to notice and respond to some of their child’s emotional needs, while being able to provide other forms of support. 

What Causes Emotional Neglect?

Unfortunately, many parents and caregivers are unable to provide their children with adequate care because of their own emotional or psychological issues. If you feel like you have been the victim of emotional neglect, know that your parents may have tried their best to meet your emotional needs, but they failed because they simply didn’t know better. 

Nevertheless, knowing why emotional neglect happened may help you heal from it and create healthier relationships in your adult life, as well as be a better parent to your own children. 

How Does Emotional Neglect Affect Relationships?

Emotional neglect in childhood can have a lasting impact on your emotional wellbeing. In fact, the effects of emotional neglect can linger for the majority of your life, preventing you from forming secure attachments and relating to others in a healthy way. Here are some common effects of emotional neglect on relationships: 

  1. Decreased awareness of your own emotional needs and feelings.

    You may struggle to define your own wishes and emotions and find it hard to set healthy boundaries in your relationships. 

  2. You might feel less valuable than other people.

    Emotional neglect can severely damage your self-esteem, leaving you with a sense of inferiority and decreased importance. 

  3. Your ability to share your thoughts and feelings may be hindered.

    If you have trouble building emotional intimacy with your partners, you may have some unresolved issues stemming from emotional neglect. 

  4. Difficulties accepting and asking for help.

    When you feel like your needs are less important than those of other people, you might feel like you don’t deserve help and support when you’re feeling down in the dumps.

  5. Deep insecurities, fears, and inhibitions.

    Emotional neglect can make you feel unlovable and unworthy, causing you to exhibit a wide range of damaging behaviors and emotions, such as extreme jealousy, shyness, or constant feelings of loneliness.

How Do You Deal With Emotional Neglect?

However pervasive or damaging the effects of your emotional neglect may be, know that you can overcome your emotional wounds and create healthier relationships. Here are some helpful tips: 

Work on accepting yourself for who you are

If you’ve been told that you’re overly sensitive, or feel like you don’t belong anywhere, try reflecting on why that is so and how it has impacted your life. There is nothing wrong with you – keep that in mind. 

Understand that you are not your parents

Just because your parents failed to meet your emotional needs, that doesn’t mean that you will do the same thing. Realize that you are the only one who gets to choose the course of your life. 

Remember that your needs and wishes matter

You are just as important as other people in your life. You can increase your sense of importance by being more honest about your wishes and creating healthier boundaries in your relationships. 

Try to forgive your parents or caregivers

Remember that your parents might have struggled with their own emotional wounds while they were raising you. Recognize the effects their behaviors had on you, but try not to be bitter or overly angry. 

Seek help from professionals

There’s no shame in asking for help when you are feeling overwhelmed with the effects of emotional neglect. Professional intimacy coaches can give you the tools you need to heal your wounds and bounce back from neglect. 

PIVOT Emotional Intimacy Coaching: Your Key To A Happy Life

What Causes Emotional Neglect?

Are you ready to start working on your emotional wellbeing and creating better relationships? Let the insightful PIVOT advocates help. We are here to offer you the resources and tools you need to overcome emotional neglect and realize your vast potential. 

Our expert emotional intimacy coaching and intensive workshops are designed to help you heal from emotional neglect and abuse and facilitate positive behavioral change. Contact PIVOT today and make the best decision for your emotional health. 

Here’s Why You Dislike Being Ignored

Have you ever felt intense and overwhelming anger after being ignored by someone in your life? It would be a surprise if your answer was no. In fact, being hurt or angered when someone ignores you is an entirely natural reaction. 

While most people have been ignored at some point in their life, that doesn’t diminish the fact that being given the silent treatment can be an extremely painful experience. In fact, it can even be considered a form of emotional and psychological manipulation and abuse. 

If you are having a hard time maintaining your emotional health when being ignored, consider contacting a remote relationship coach. In the meantime, keep on reading to learn why being ignored hurts and what you can do about it. 

Why Does Being Ignored Hurt?

What Does Being Ignored Do To The Brain?

When someone ignores you, you may start feeling unworthy, unimportant, or unlovable, especially if you are ignored by someone you care about. Whether it’s your partner, parent, or boss, it is entirely natural to feel hurt when you don’t get the response you expect from them. 

Although you are bound to feel hurt after being rejected or ignored, keep in mind that it’s not necessarily your fault. You shouldn’t strive to change yourself to get their attention or affection, but simply remember that people have their own emotional struggles which may cause them to act in certain ways towards you. 

For instance, they may have been a victim of emotional neglect in their childhood or they might simply be overwhelmed by other matters in their life. But regardless of the reason why, your sense of worth should never depend on other people’s attention and opinions of you. 

What Does Being Ignored Do To The Brain?

In addition to the negative emotions you might experience after being ignored, it has been shown that the silent treatment can actually have physical effects on your brain. 

According to research, feeling ignored and excluded can cause real changes in your brain, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex, a zone in the brain responsible for detecting pain. When this zone is activated, you may experience several different physical symptoms. These may include: 

  • Headaches 
  • Digestive problems
  • Insomnia and fatigue 
  • Increased blood pressure 
  • Diabetes
  • Affected autoimmune system 

These physical effects are caused by the high stress levels that you may experience after being ignored. They may be exacerbated if you are subjected to the silent treatment for prolonged periods of time or the person who is ignoring you is a particularly important figure in your life, such as your parent, partner, or boss. 

What Does It Mean When Your Partner Ignores You?

If your partner is not responding to your texts or calls, you probably feel hurt, confused, or angry. While this is completely natural, there may actually be a reasonable explanation for this behavior. Here are some possible reasons: 

They don’t like communicating via phone

This simple explanation is actually more common than you may think. Many individuals don’t like or don’t know how to express themselves over the phone, and your partner may feel the same way. 

They are overwhelmed with other matters in their life

Although you probably want to be the focus of your significant other’s life, it may be the case that they have other problems in their life that have to be dealt with before speaking with you. 

They need some time alone

Although you probably feel extremely hurt because your partner is ignoring you, you should consider the fact that you might be smothering them. Give them some space and see what happens. 

They feel like you want something from them

If you tend to be demanding towards your partner, they may feel like you only contact them when you need something that they are not able to give. 

They may be considering a breakup

There’s no point denying that it is a possibility that your partner may not want to be in a relationship with you any longer. Try talking to them openly and see if there are any issues that you two should work on. 

Is Ignoring Someone Manipulative?

While there are many logical reasons why someone might ignore you, some individuals may use the silent treatment as a manipulation tactic. They may know exactly what makes you tick, and being ignored tends to achieve that precise effect on most people. 

The person who is ignoring you probably knows exactly what they are doing to your emotional state, and they might use this to their advantage, causing you to think about them more and be more vulnerable to the rest of their manipulation tactics. The silent treatment is often used as part of narcissistic abuse, hand in hand with gaslighting, deflection, stonewalling, and other abusive behaviors. 

How Do You Respond To Being Ignored?

If you are being ignored by someone close to you, you are probably looking for a way to deal with all the negative emotions that the silent treatment brings about. Here are some tips: 

  1. Take a step back

    Your partner may simply need some space to collect their thoughts and deal with their own emotions. Give them time and work on yourself in the meantime. 

  2. Distract yourself

    Find things to do in order to keep yourself from obsessing over the person who is ignoring you.

  3. Check if they are actually ignoring you

    The whole deal may simply be a misunderstanding or the person may be dealing with other personal issues. 

  4. Try not to overreact

    Yes, being ignored hurts, but remember that the individual ignoring you may be trying to achieve exactly that. Don’t give them the satisfaction. 

  5. Communicate

    Your partner may have some concerns about the relationship that they are afraid to bring up. Try speaking with them without anger or bitterness. 

Looking For A Relationship Coach Online? Contact PIVOT Today

What Does It Mean When Your Partner Ignores You?

Remember that it is entirely natural to feel hurt and confused about your relationships with other people. You never know exactly why people are treating you the way they do, and it’s not your responsibility to waste energy trying to figure it out. Instead, focus on your own wellbeing and health. 

PIVOT can help you with that. Whether you want to speak with a relationship coaching professional online or attend an intensive relational freedom workshop, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are looking forward to listening to what you have to say. Contact us today!