It has been found that extreme emotional neglect: the kind of neglect where no caretaker was reliably available for support, comfort or protection.   When they grow up sensing no one liked them, welcomed them, or listened to them. No one had empathy for them, showed them warmth, or invited closeness. No one cared about what they thought, felt, did, wanted, or dreamed of. Those trauma victims learned early in life that no matter how hurt, alienated, or terrified they were, turning to a parent would actually exacerbate their experience of rejection. The child who is abandoned in this way experiences the world as a terrifying place.

 Think about how humans were hunter-gatherers for most of our time on this planet—the child's survival and safety from predators during the first six years of life during these times depended on being in very close proximity to an adult. Children are wired to feel scared when left alone, and to cry and protest to alert their caretakers when they are. But when the caretakers turn their backs on such cries for help, the child is left to cope with a nightmarish inner world—the stuff of which emotional flashbacks are made.  Not having that reliable protector creates fear of trusting those perceived as caretakers.  The people that they are told to seek comfort from create more stress; supporting the notion the world is a frightening place.  This relationship skill follows the person into adulthood.