Invisible scars: the importance of treating emotional wounds

Abstract

Emotional identity is formed during the first years of life, constituting a decisive process that establishes the foundations for human interactions and mental health throughout life. From the theories of John Bowlby to the research of Bessel van der Kolk and Lise Bourbeau, the relevance of the role of the family in psychological and emotional development has been highlighted. Attachment relationships in childhood influence the way people perceive and manage their emotions, the child's vulnerability to his or her environment, and his or her ability to relate to self and others during adulthood. This paper explores the intersection between attachment, emotional wounds and their impact on mental and physical health in adulthood, with the aim of preventing social conflict and mitigating psychological effects in at-risk populations. Through a comprehensive review of the academic and clinical literature, we analyze how early experiences of insecure attachment, abandonment, or trauma can leave a lasting imprint on the psyche and body, manifesting in various forms of emotional distress and physical illness in adulthood. By understanding the nature and implications of these emotional wounds from a multidimensional perspective, the aim is to provide relevant insights for understanding and subsequent therapeutic intervention, as well as to promote holistic well-being across the lifespan.