How do you know if your husband doesn't value you?
He is no longer affectionate with you, physically or verbally. He no longer makes sweet or romantic gestures toward you. He doesn't say "I love you" anymore. He still says "I love you," but something about it feels hollow or forced, like he's just going through the motions.
In the context of a marriage, the feelings of neglect, being left out, and not being heard are collectively referred to as emotional abandonment. It occurs when one partner is so preoccupied with their own concerns that they are unable to notice the struggles, concerns, or problems their partner is experiencing.
Loneliness in a marriage can be caused by a number of different things. Family, work, and stress often play a role, but internal factors such as your own unrealistic expectations and fear of vulnerability can also make it hard to connect with your spouse.
In a marriage emotional neglect is when a spouse CONSISTENTLY fails to notice, attend to, and respond IN A TIMELY MANNER to a spouse's feelings. This has far-reaching negative consequences for the relationship. As humans, we are relational beings.
Also referred to as the "neglected wife syndrome" and "sudden divorce syndrome," walkaway wife syndrome is "nothing more than a term used to characterize a person who has decided they cannot stay in the marriage any longer," says Joshua Klapow, Ph. D., licensed clinical psychologist and creator of Mental Drive.
Someone who isn't honest enough or always yells at their partner can be easily identified as a disrespectful husband who has no regard whatsoever for his life partner. Such blatant disrespect can not only be hurtful but can cause stress and anxiousness to the partner.
Public acknowledgment. Gratitude and kindness can uniquely communicate love and affection, such as appreciating your spouse in private. However, public acknowledgment of achievements or acts of service can create a whole new sense of appreciation.
What is a loveless marriage? A loveless marriage is a relationship where one or both partners do not feel in love. Instead of being romantic lovers, they often feel more like roommates or siblings. Being in a loveless marriage often breeds isolation, resentment, and hopelessness.
When a marriage is unhealthy, issues of control are usually evident. Finances are an easy weapon of control. One partner starts deciding how money is spent and how much the other spouse can spend. Control can also spill over into areas like friendships and outside activities.
Sometimes, feeling unloved isn't due to anything our partner has done, but comes from inside ourselves. It's possible we are having low self esteem. Sometimes, it is an issue with the relationship or our partner. It's also likely we've not been able to communicate to our partner what we need to feel loved.
Feeling alone in a marriage is common, but feeling that way in a relationship of any kind is not normal. Like with any marital or relational issue, it's important to consider what is at the root cause of feeling lonely and how your partner responds to you when you share your feelings.
Factors that contribute to loneliness in marriage are busy schedules, lack of support and empathy, absence of intimacy, and emotional abuse. Signs of loneliness in a marriage are sparse discussions, not making time for each other, and lack of effort.
“An unhappy marriage chronically feels bad. It's like a cold that lingers, leaving you drained and vulnerable,” explains Paul Hokemeyer, J.D., Ph. D. "Symptoms can include severe headaches, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, neck, and back pain.