Q&A for How to Know if You Are Touch Starved

Yes. You probably feel lonely or isolated, even depressed if you don't want someone else to touch you. Try hugging yourself.

Yes, this experience is common. When you are alone and touch-starved, the feeling can become more pronounced because there are fewer distractions. During social interactions, your brain may be occupied, but when you are alone, the lack of physical touch might be more noticeable.

Providing consensual hugs can be very helpful. Certain areas of the body, such as the upper back, hands, chest, or arms, might feel more touch-starved than others.

Yes, these actions are definitely coping mechanisms. Self-soothing physical touch can provide comfort, especially during moments of sadness, and can serve as a grounding mechanism, signaling to your brain that you are present and cared for.

Yes, experiencing chest pain or a feeling of emptiness, often described as a "pit," when contemplating affectionate touch can be a symptom of touch starvation. In my experience, another sign is an overwhelming need to be held or to hold onto someone, which can lead to feelings of mental disorientation or distress.