Abandoned children are those that have been ignored, neglected or abused by their parents and/or caregivers. Abandonment is a type of emotional child abuse that is not only harmful to a child’s mental health but also may affect their physical well being, as abandoned children are at a higher risk for poor nutrition, lack of access to basic healthcare and illness. Recognizing the signs of abandonment trauma is an important first step in combating this widespread problem and helping these vulnerable children find a healthy way forward in life.

Often, the cause of abandonment is linked to poverty and lack of resources. This is true all over the world, where many families struggle to meet their basic needs. In addition, the social stigma attached to a parent or family member’s alcohol or drug addiction can often lead to abandonment, as can financial issues that prevent a parent from affording childcare.

Psychological abandonment impacts occur when a bioparent gives custody of their child to another adult, such as an older sibling or relative, daycare provider or caretaker, au pair or nanny. It can also occur when a child is hospitalized for extended periods of time and loses regular contact with their parents; or when a parent takes on work that requires them to be away from home, like foreign military service.

Children that have been emotionally abandoned may experience a wide range of symptoms, including an inability to trust others, feelings of extreme jealousy, an unhealthy need for closeness and an irrational fear of being alone. Those with these emotional scars may have a hard time maintaining healthy relationships, and they may engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as self-harm or substance use. Some may even become incarcerated or involved with illegal activities, as they continue to struggle to cope with their past experiences.

In addition, abandoned children may have physical health problems due to their neglectful and often dangerous environments. In some cases, they are not properly fed, clothed or washed, and live in filthy conditions. They may sleep in doorways or other makeshift shelters, and they may be forced to steal or sell goods to survive. In other cases, they may turn to prostitution or temporary labor for income, as they can no longer count on their abandoning parents to support them.

The impact of child abandonment is long-lasting and can impact a person’s entire life. Even adults who were not abandoned as children can have a fear of abandonment, though this is often related to unmet needs, such as a desire for love and attention. Children with these fears can be prone to panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder and an inability to feel a sense of safety. In addition, they are prone to depression and anxiety and can have difficulty concentrating at school.