6 Things Adults Who Grew Up in an Emotionally Distant Childhood Have in Common

3. Difficulty Identifying & Expressing Needs

You learned to silence yourself. If your emotions were ignored, you likely internalized that your needs don’t matter. This leads to:

• A habit of people-pleasing to avoid conflict.

• Trouble putting feelings into words (alexithymia).

• Minimizing your own pain or perceptions.

• Prioritizing others’ comfort over your own well-being.