1. Difficulty Expressing Emotions: Growing up without affection can lead to difficulty expressing emotions or feeling comfortable with intimacy, as you may not have had the opportunity to develop these skills in childhood.
2. Fear of Rejection: If you lacked affection as a child, you may develop a fear of rejection or abandonment, as you may have internalized the belief that you are unworthy of love and affection.
3. Low Self-Esteem: A lack of affection in childhood can contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy, as you may not have received the validation and positive reinforcement needed to develop a strong sense of self-worth.
4. Difficulty Forming Close Relationships: Growing up without affection can make it challenging to form close, intimate relationships later in life, as you may struggle to trust others or open up emotionally.
5. Avoidance of Physical Contact: Individuals who lacked affection in childhood may feel uncomfortable with physical contact or intimacy, as they may not have experienced it in a positive or nurturing way growing up.
6. Seeking Validation from Others: If you did not receive affection as a child, you may seek validation and approval from others in an attempt to fill the emotional void left by a lack of affection in childhood.
7. Difficulty Expressing Affection: Growing up without affection can make it challenging to express affection towards others, as you may not have learned how to do so in a healthy and constructive way.