Abandoned children are a worldwide problem. In some cases, people abandon their children on purpose to avoid shame or stigma. Many times, however, children are abandoned by their parents on accident. Often, this is a result of mental health problems in the parent. Abandoned children can suffer from a variety of psychological issues, including anxiety and depression. They may also have difficulty trusting others and developing attachments. They often have low self-esteem and may act out in their adolescence.

Some abandoned children are able to find loving foster families or adoptive homes. In other cases, the trauma of child abandonment can be so severe that they need professional psychiatric care. Children in this situation are sometimes referred to as “psychiatrically hospitalized” or placed in inpatient psychiatric units for treatment. The therapists at these facilities are trained in the specialized area of psychiatric care for children.

In addition to psychiatric treatment, many abandoned children benefit from psychoeducation or group therapy. In these programs, the therapists teach children about different facets of their traumatic experience and help them develop positive coping skills. This can be an invaluable tool for them as they grow into adults.

Children often develop a fear of abandonment as a result of their childhood experiences, even if they were not physically abandoned. This can lead to behavior that alienates other people from them. Some of these behaviors include acting overly jealous in relationships, seeking approval from others and avoiding having close friends. Others may ruminate and worry excessively about being abandoned or die young.

Although physical abandonment is the most extreme form of child abuse, emotional child abandonment can be equally damaging. This happens when parents do not provide their children with the social environments and conditions that they need for healthy development. This can include failure to provide shelter and food, or it can be more subtle, such as neglecting a child’s emotional needs by not offering support or interaction with them.

The effects of abandonment can last a lifetime. Abandoned children are at high risk of developing a wide range of psychological and behavioral problems, including anxiety and depression, difficulty trusting others, low self-esteem and separation anxiety. They may also have trouble in relationships, or become irritable and angry easily. They can also have problems with substance abuse or develop self-harming habits.

Abandoned children can have a difficult time maintaining relationships and finding suitable jobs. They are also at higher risk of having a variety of medical and behavioral health issues, such as mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, sexual dysfunction and eating disorders.

Abandonment of a child is considered to be a serious crime. In most states, it is considered a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances and how long the neglect or abuse has gone on. Certain persons are designated as “mandatory reporters” and are required to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or child protective services.