From childhood onwards, emotional nurturing plays a fundamental role in shaping personality and mental health. When neglected, this basic human need can trigger behavioral patterns that seek to fill emotional gaps through achievement and external validation. Maladaptive perfectionism, one such manifestation, clearly illustrates how the lack of emotional validation contributes to insecurity and, in extreme cases, depression.
Inadequate emotional care occurs when parents or caregivers fail to acknowledge and validate a child’s feelings and experiences. This type of emotional neglect leaves a child feeling irrelevant or inadequate, shaping an insecure personality. Without this solid emotional foundation, the individual grows up with a constant need to prove his or her worth—often through external outcomes, such as academic or professional success, or even fame.
Maladaptive perfectionism arises as a compensatory mechanism. It manifests itself in unrealistic goals and excessive self-criticism, which seek to fill the void left by the lack of emotional recognition. This constant search is deeply linked to the neurochemical functioning of the brain. The release of dopamine, associated with the feeling of reward and pleasure, occurs when goals are achieved, providing temporary relief from insecurity. However, this satisfaction is fleeting, perpetuating a cycle of incessant effort, frustration and self-criticism.
Furthermore, emotional attention deficit also affects serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter essential for mood regulation. Insecure or perfectionist individuals often experience emotional instability, which increases their vulnerability to depression. This occurs because, without internal validation, the individual relies exclusively on external factors to regulate their emotional state — an unsustainable strategy that often results in psychological exhaustion.
The relationship between emotional attention, maladaptive perfectionism, and depression cannot be ignored. Without intervention, this pattern becomes a vicious cycle in which the search for external validation and fear of failure lead to high levels of stress and chronic dissatisfaction. This highlights the importance of providing children with consistent and empathetic emotional attention that serves as the foundation for healthy self-esteem and a sense of self-validation.
In adulthood, recognizing this pattern is the first step toward overcoming it. Therapeutic strategies that encourage acceptance, self-compassion, and emotional regulation are essential to breaking the cycle of maladaptive perfectionism and preventing the progression to depression. Thus, understanding the importance of emotional attention, both in childhood and in adulthood, is essential to promoting a healthier and more emotionally balanced society.
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.