Rejection is probably the most difficult process a child or even an adult survivor of trauma must heal from. I call rejection a process because it is more than just one feeling, it is a number of feelings such as shame, sadness, grief, and not being accepted. Once a child faces rejection at a young age, it becomes more apparent and evident in their young life.
Rejected children, especially teenagers, may try to find acceptance elsewhere. This can lead to poor choices such as unhealthy friend groups, and drugs or alcohol. On the other hand, rejected children, if the people in their lives such as teachers or coaches pick up on these feelings, may be able to respond positively from this acceptance and rejection can dissipate.
Feeling rejected is very powerful. The brain responds to social rejection the same way it does to physical pain. But we cannot just take a Tylenol for rejection and feel it disappear. Rejection may take years to overcome. Yet there is hope. Speaking from experience as one who is always healing from rejection, let yourself or your child feel it, surround yourself or your child with people who accept you, and practice self-love and care. Over time, the feelings surrounding rejection will become lighter as hope and love become stronger.