Touch Starvation

Touch starvation, also known as touch deprivation or skin hunger, is the physiological need of humans and other species for physical contact with their own species or other living beings. Its prolonged absence can have traumatic effects on a person's emotional, physical and mental well-being, and can lead to or be worsened by loneliness or existing depressive symptoms. Non-human forms of touch, such as animal therapy, are thought to provide only partial benefit, and the lack of physical human contact is described as especially harmful to confidence, emotional regulation and self-image during early childhood development.