Abandonment

Primal distress at being left behind.

Family Social
Valence strongly negative
Arousal moderate activation
Intensity Intense
Opposite Security

Primal distress at being left behind. The body holds this signal first, often before the mind has named what is happening.

Where abandonment lives in the body

Chest
Heaviness, ache, or pounding
Strong
Stomach
A sinking pull or knot
Moderate
Arms
Heavy, unused
Withdrawn

Related emotions

LonelinessSadness familyRejectionSocial familyDespairSadness familySecurityThe opposite
A note on this entry: The data on this page (definition, body sensations, valence, arousal, related emotions) reflects a structured reference for abandonment. A full long-form entry is being added gradually. If you have research, a translation, or a body-mapping correction to suggest, please get in touch.