Addressing the Impact of Loneliness on Mental Health
Humans are social creatures. Whether introverted or extroverted, you’re designed to interact with others. Unfortunately, loneliness is a bigger problem across the country than many people realize.
Studies have shown that about 33% of American adults experience consistent loneliness. That number skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more people began to see the lasting effects loneliness could have on their mental health.
If you’re lonely more often than not, or you know someone who is regularly isolated, it’s important to understand the mental health ramifications. Let’s take a closer look at some of the risks so you can start making a change.
A Vicious Cycle
Some people experience loneliness because of mental health issues. For example, people with depression are often more likely to withdraw from people they care about and things they enjoy doing.
Unfortunately, that kind of self-isolation can lead to loneliness and create even bigger mental health issues, including heavier depression or even anxiety. Simply put, mental health issues can contribute to loneliness, and loneliness can exacerbate mental health issues.
Negative Self-Talk
Loneliness can impact the way you see yourself. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your isolation, you might start to believe negative things about yourself. You might think people don’t want to be around you or even that your feelings aren’t valid.
As you might expect, this kind of self-talk can lead to greater feelings of depression and anxiety. Loneliness can even contribute to social anxiety, creating a fear of interacting with others because you’re concerned about being judged or talked about behind your back.
While more research needs to be done, loneliness has also been linked to paranoid thinking, and even hallucinations. These episodes can be minor or severe, but the longer you go without addressing them, the worse they are likely to become, which can put your mental and physical well-being in danger.
A Lack of Self-Care
Because loneliness and depression often go hand-in-hand, you might not take care of yourself the way you should when you’re isolated. Unfortunately, a lack of self-care can also damage your mental health.
Loneliness can contribute to changes in sleeping habits. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you could be at a greater risk of depression or anxiety. Loneliness can also impact your eating habits, exercise habits, and more. Self-care isn’t just a frivolous thing designed to make you feel good. It’s important to put into practice every day. If your negative self-talk due to isolation is causing you to avoid self-care practices, your mental health is likely to suffer.
What Can You Do?
If you’re struggling with loneliness, it’s easy for someone to suggest simply putting yourself out there and connecting with others. However, that’s not always a practical solution, especially if you are struggling with social anxiety or don’t know where to start.
Consider connecting with people online. Join forums or social media groups that allow you to interact with others from the comfort of your home. It shouldn’t replace face-to-face interactions, but it can help you form a community.
If you’re ready to step out into the world, try volunteering for an organization that matters to you. You’ll feel good about what you’re doing, and you’ll meet like-minded people.
Finally, focus on the quality of relationships in your life. Having a few strong, healthy relationships can make a big difference in how you feel and see yourself. Put your time and energy into those relationships and watch them flourish.
If you’re still struggling with loneliness and feel like you don’t have anywhere to turn, please reach out to me about depression therapy. Together, we’ll dive into the root cause of your loneliness and develop strategies to help you overcome negative self-talk so you can start to enjoy the socialization you need and deserve.
