Hi! I am sorry you had to go through this. I have been doing some internet searches of my own about emotional neglect/abuse for myself. You don't realize that it occurred until someone points out to you that the way you were treated is not normal.

I am sitting here almost in tears after reading your post. My situation was little different in the fact that I there was virtually no interaction in my house- I would go for DAYS barely uttering 5 words or seeing my parents and not because I was pissed at them, it was because they were too absorbed in their own worlds to notice or care. It was very cold and lonely; no hugs or kisses, no words of encouragement or praises, no compliments,no one ever came home excited to see us or happy. my mother didn't want to be bothered with me or my sister and my father has always been emotionally detached, but he at least made the effort to take care of our(I am a twin) basic needs. I was cooking and doing laundry at 8 and 9. my parents never slept in the same bed or room, nor did they show affection towards each other. Just a few years ago my mom told me she regrets marrying my father...so essentially she also regrets having his children. <<< Sorry didnt mean to ramble here.

I feel the exact same way about my parents the way you do about yours. I care about them, but I don't get warm fuzzy feelings of love and happiness when I think of them...i dont have an emotional connection to either of them.

Yes, the effects of emotional abuse/neglect has just about the same ramifications as physical abuse and has the risk of repeating itself if you decide to have a family of your own

Please see a therapist about this.
The sooner the better. I am 25 and I just made my first appointment because of the issues I am having as a result of this (anxiety, depression, issues with food and my weight, issues with alcohol, issues trusting people and feeling unwanted and unloved etc etc)