Emotional deprivation

Emotional deprivation is an early maladaptive schema (EMS). Having the emotional deprivation schema usually means that you expect your needs for affectionate care, empathy, and/or protection will never be fully met. This expectation can leave you feeling lonely and unsupported. The emotional deprivation schema develops in childhood when the primary caregiver is not attuned to the needs of their child. Similar to how insecure attachment develops, such caregivers may miss their child’s cues that they need: affection, empathy, or protection, or they may misinterpret these cues as a need for something else.

Sources:

Frye, D. (August 15, 2022). 6 signs of emotional deprivation schema. Psychology today. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/znwaug.

Area CBT Center. (February 26, 2024). Unpacking the Emotional Deprivation Schema. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/qefanp.

Sills, D. (August 2, 2024). Emotional Deprivation or Neglect? How to Tell the Difference. Psychology today. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/sngkwb.

Vitality unleashed. (March 23, 2023).Understanding Emotional Deprivation Schema. Retrieved from: https://surl.li/uqyrhk.