There is a wealth of information available today about the effects of neglect and abuse in children. It has been found that such mistreatment may result in developmental delays and anxiety disorders, depression, delinquency, interpersonal problems, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Robert Turner discusses some of those problems and what he refers to as “the courage solution” in the following article.

Fear of Rejection

One of the most common fears people have is fear of rejection, which is about being rejected. This fear has a biological basis because our ancestors lived with the constant danger of being rejected by the group, which could mean death. We carry that legacy today, but it is no longer necessary for survival. However, your brain will continue to expect rejection because of this early programming. You can manage your fear of rejection, but you need to put in the effort and learn new responses to replace the unwanted ones.

People who are rejected are more likely to have depressive symptoms, anxiety, and poorer self-esteem. The consequences of being rejected are not just psychological either they can also be physical because your body releases stress hormones when you experience rejection.

The Effects of Depression

People with depression often struggle to deal with rejection because they assume that other people reject them when it might not be the case in reality. However, even if someone rejects you, that does not mean that it is permanent or that they will reject you in the future.

The Pain of Isolation

It is normal for people to feel lonely sometimes, but when your loneliness becomes overwhelming, it can turn into depression. Family and friends provide healthy social support and protection against stress. Rejection by other people is an isolating experience because nobody wants to be around you anymore.

How Isolation Affects Your Brain

When you are feeling isolated, your brain releases stress hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. These chemicals affect your mood to make you feel depressed, upset, or even angry. When you are depressed, you are more likely to react to rejection with low self-esteem, which is the main thing that causes social isolation.

When you begin feeling lonely or isolated, it is important to reconnect with other people. The best way of doing that would be to volunteer or join a club that meets your interests. You can also just spend more time with friends and family by attending social gatherings. If you are still having problems being around people, you might have to seek professional help from a therapist who can teach you how to communicate with others more effectively.

Avoiding Isolation

You can have a fulfilling social life despite being rejected or being shy. You can accomplish that by trying new activities or hobbies with other people who share your interests. If you are not comfortable attending social gatherings, then simply make plans with one person at a time instead of in big groups. You can meet that person at a cafe or some other neutral location where you are not likely to feel pressured into talking with them if you are feeling uncomfortable.