10 Results of Emotional Neglect in the Neurodiverse Marriage

Emotional neglect in marriage is a serious and often overlooked issue that can have profound effects on the individuals involved and the overall health of the relationship. When one or both partners fail to provide the emotional support, validation, and attention that is necessary for a thriving marriage, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, resentment, and dissatisfaction.

One of the key signs of emotional neglect in a marriage is a persistent lack of meaningful communication and emotional connection. This can manifest in various ways, such as one partner dismissing the other's feelings, not actively listening, or being emotionally unavailable. Over time, this can erode the foundation of the relationship and create a sense of distance and disconnect between the spouses.

Emotional neglect can also lead to feelings of unimportance and invisibility for the neglected partner. When their emotional needs are consistently overlooked or dismissed, it can foster a sense of worthlessness and inadequacy. This can lead to a decline in self-esteem and overall well-being, and may even result in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, emotional neglect can impact the dynamics of the marriage, leading to increased conflict, lack of intimacy, and a general sense of dissatisfaction. It can also create a cycle of emotional neglect, where one partner's inability to provide emotional support leads to the other partner withdrawing or seeking validation and support elsewhere.

Addressing emotional neglect in a marriage requires open and honest communication, empathy, and a willingness to make changes. Both partners need to acknowledge the issue and commit to actively nurturing their emotional connection. This may involve seeking professional help, improving communication skills, and being more attentive to each other's emotional needs.

In conclusion, emotional neglect in marriage is a significant issue that can undermine the health and longevity of a relationship. By recognizing the signs of emotional neglect and taking proactive steps to address it, couples can work towards building a healthier, more fulfilling marriage based on mutual understanding, empathy, and emotional support.

[sandygottesman]

Pretty much sums up my marriage, and the many years of despair both during and after the marriage. The only thing he left out was my husband blaming me for everything that didn’t go his way or that he stopped doing (such as riding his bike). I never knew I was that powerful. Although he didn’t explicitly say it to me, I’m sure that I was also responsible for his cheating and being a porn addict. He wanted more sex and I wanted intimacy and connection (and, not to be spoken to and treated like I was in a porn video). I was never more lonely than I was in our marriage. Amazingly, although there were some signs, he was largely a different person when we were dating and during the early years of our marriage. Although I have heard/read that people on the spectrum are not narcissists, I truly believe that he is both. (He was very good at lying, deception and gaslighting; things that people with ASD typically don’t do. )