When you hear the word “epidemic”, what do you think? Blessing; Yellow fever; Poliomyelitis;
What about loneliness?
It may not seem like you feel lonely could be a serious issue of public health, but this is what makes it so secret – and scary. In 2023, the surgeon He called on loneliness for its serious impact on mental and physical health, comparing social disconnection with smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
And because loneliness is more subjective than, say, smoking or smallpox, its recognition and treatment can be complicated.
“If you want to know if someone is lonely they have to tell you,” he said Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPHFounder and president of the Foundation for Art & Healing, a non -profit organization that helps people find resources to combat loneliness. For perspective, Nobel said that he is pretending to have the most powerful telescope of the universe he can see through walls and you are on the moon. “You could see all the isolated people on planet Earth. But you couldn’t understand who was lonely.”
Set Lonely
Loneliness is the feeling that you are alone or that you have no meaning, close relationships or a sense of belonging, regardless of your social contact.
Ironically, there are many people who feel this way. In fact, a 2024 survey was found by the American Psychological Union 1 in 3 adults Live feelings of loneliness at least once a week.
And loneliness is not just a problem in the US 1 in 4 People worldwide – more than one billion people – feel “quite” or “very” lonely, according to a recent survey of more than 140 countries. Research also found that, in more than half of these countries, more women feel lonely than men.
Loneliness and mental health
Chronic loneliness is more complicated than a casual feeling – which everyone has, by the way. It is absolutely natural to feel lonely from time to time. But long -term or chronic, loneliness increases the risk for certain physical and mental conditions, including depression.
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Nobel said loneliness is like a pyramid. The lower level includes everyone, because we all experience loneliness at some point. The middle tier is when you go through a challenge-perhaps a dissolution or take care of a child or a parent with illness-and behind people because you feel overwhelmed. This is natural, but it leads to an increase in loneliness. The top tier is chronic loneliness.
When other people see that you support away, they tend to get away, Nobel said. And the lonely man becomes even more lonely. “This leads to the very high level of loneliness – where loneliness is a serious medical issue,” he said. “So the key must not say, ‘let’s never be lonely. “The key is to avoid spiral from this base level to the middle level at the top.”
The effects of loneliness can run deep. Investigations show loneliness increases the risk For depression, anxiety, self -injury and suicide. And the split from the spiral becomes more difficult over time.
Approaching a consultant or therapist can be an important step in managing the impact of mental health loneliness.
Psychologist Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D.He said loneliness reduces self -esteem and feelings of self -esteem, which can lead to changes in behavior. “It may make you start to get out of people and this can make others not want to be around you … and you create even more loneliness because you chase people away,” he said. “You don’t know you are doing – it’s completely subconscious.”
Thomas said that loneliness can lead to other devastating standards, such as excessive substance use, sleep too much and over -consumption, as a way of avoiding reality. “You do not invest in yourself or do not take good care of yourself, so it can definitely collapse on other problems,” he said.
Nobel noted that women tend to take on more secluded roles, such as the family caregiver, who first put on other people and allowing loneliness to take over.
Who is in danger for years of loneliness?
As noted, anyone can experience loneliness, but research shows that some people are more likely to experience chronic loneliness, including people who:
- Are members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Are immigrants
- Are single or carers
- Miss the activities due to lack of physical ability or money
- Have long -term physical or mental conditions
- Have bad family relationships
- Have experienced sexual or physical abuse
Signs and symptoms of loneliness
THE symptoms and signs of loneliness vary from person to person but may include:
- Without close relationships
- Adhesions to surface talks and avoiding serious issues
- You feel exhausted after spending time with others
- Feeling isolated and separated, even in a room of people
For children and adolescents, parents can seek these common signs that their children may feel lonely:
- Bad hygiene and does not take care of the appearance
- A negative perspective for life
- Loss of interest in activities
- Increasing time spent alone or on the internet
- Sadness or anxiety
Nobel, who is also the author of the “Project Unly onsly: Healing Crisis of Disconnection”, added that it could be difficult for people in caregiver roles to seek support. If you or someone you know shows signs of loneliness, there are steps you can take to feel more connected.
How to deal with loneliness
Nobel said that overcoming loneliness begins by looking at your interests and hobbies and what you are passionate about. From there, he suggests that you do some research to see if there is a club or team that you can join in your area, including the belief -based activities if you are a spiritual person. “It allows you to be in a space or environment of other people sharing something. Then it is easier to reveal things about yourself, which are needed to connect,” he said.
People who are naturally shy or introverted should follow the same approach and seek to connect with others through common interest. “The key is to do something authentic – something you really get a kick,” Nobel said. “You can voluntarily offer a cat shelter, but if you don’t like cats then you don’t have this kind of connection through a common passion for something.”
Many local colleges offer continuous education courses and programs that focus on activities and hobbies such as dance, art, foreign language, photography, etc. If you can’t find a team near you, start your own. “It will give you even more passion and you will feel excitement again and this can help you reduce these negative emotions,” Thomas said.
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In addition to trying something new, Thomas said to reach healthy relationships with the people you have in your life. “You can tell them how you feel, but listen to them and have a true conversation,” he said. “Maybe they will say they are alone or spend a hard time and you can help them – helping others help a person feel less lonely.”
If existing healthy relationships are difficult to come, volunteering and reinforcement are other ways to add a connection to your life. “You feel like making a difference and having a purpose and there is meaning again,” Thomas said.
Working on yourself is also important. Thomas recommended the start of the day with 10 or 15 minutes of writing in a magazine for two things: a memory where you experienced joy with other people and a time when you felt a connection to someone. “Write it so you remember that your whole life was not like that and it doesn’t have to stay like that,” Thomas said.
With so many people living with loneliness, the road forward puts yourself out there and helping others to do the same. “You’re not alone because 50% of people feel significantly lonely from time to time,” Nobel said. “And the other half may not be just willing to say it.”
This educational resource was created with support by Pfizer, a member of the Healthywomen Counseling Council.
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