When was the last time someone touched or hugged you because they missed you and wanted to comfort you? Today morning, yesterday, or three days ago, maybe?
Now imagine not having that loving feeling for a couple of months. How would you feel? Unloved, unworthy, sad, and alone, right?
That’s precisely what touch starvation, affection deprivation, or skin hunger is — a complete lack of physical touch, a warm embrace, or a simple, comforting cuddle from another human.
Not having a loving hug that automatically eases your stress, makes you happy (even if it’s just for a second), and reassures you that you matter.
And while there are hundreds of people who don’t long for a hug and shudder at the thought of affectionate hugs or touch, some, like 33-year-old Mayte Lisbeth, struggle with this agonizing conundrum.
In a deeply personal and vulnerable TikTok video that has since gone viral, Lisbeth opened up about her struggles with touch starvation, captioning it: “It’s been five years of touch starvation. I’ll probably have some more years of it. I’m not handling this well.”
Now before you watch this (extremely heavy) video, we thought we’d ask you to please be respectful of her and what she’s going through. It’s not easy being vulnerable to the masses, especially when speaking out about something so personal and emotional.
Check it out:
@mayte.lisbethIts been five years of touch starvation. I’ll probably have some more years of it. I’m not handling this well.♬ original sound – Mayte Lisbeth
This video prompted others to come out and speak about their struggle with touch starvation – which goes to show how many people have been feeling so sad and alone. Check them out:
@metaphysicalgoddess7 #stitch with @mayte.lisbeth Touch starvation ain’t no joke! ?❤️ #touch #affection #hugs #kisses #touchstarvation #thepoweroftouch #human #honesty ♬ original sound – Metaphysical Goddess
and
@theshannashow #stitch with @mayte.lisbeth ♬ original sound – TheLoveButton
and
@jenjustwatches #stitch with @mayte.lisbeth I am so sorry that you are feeling this way and I am so grateful to you for speaking about it. #loneliness #touchstarvation ♬ original sound – Jen
Others offered up some tips to help her with this heart-wrenching struggle. We hope it also comes in handy for those of you struggling with this.
@audaciousday #stitch with @mayte.lisbeth Here are some ways i deal with being touch starved. I hope they help! #touchstarvation #lonely #isolation #depression #anxiety #mentalhealthmatters #trauma #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound – Day
What do you think? Do you struggle with hug deprivation or skin hunger? How do you deal with all of it?
Let us know in the comment section below.
