Loneliness: Is it normal to feel lonely?

We all feel lonely from time to time. It is an isolated feeling which makes you feel alone and detached from the entire world.?

The feeling of loneliness is very subjective and personal, every person feels it but everyone experiences it differently.?

What exactly is Loneliness??

Loneliness

People would describe loneliness in their own subjective terms. However, if we talk about it, loneliness can be described as feeling alone, unwanted, and isolated.?

People often confuse being alone with feeling lonely. When in reality, being alone doesn’t mean the person is lonely but if the person is lonely, they would feel alone and detached even in crowded places.?

For example, you might be in a family gathering or with your friends and you would feel lonely.?

Loneliness can cause a lot of distress and make you more sad and upset. The evidence says that loneliness can cause serious threats to your well-being, be it physically or mentally.

Identifying Loneliness

How can you identify loneliness within you or people around you??

• Zoning out between conversations?
• Feeling they lack companionship?
• Do not feel aligned or connected with people?
• Feel they do not have anyone whom they can talk to
• Feel left out?

Feeling lonely happens with everyone, however, in long term - it can pose a serious threat and can become a societal challenge.?

Is Loneliness a mental health problem??

Feeling lonely is not categorized as a mental health disorder under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - The fifth edition. However, chronic loneliness can lead to anxiety and depression.?

Feeling lonely can have a huge impact on your mental health. Research says that loneliness and social isolation can increase the chances of death and increase the risk of dementia (loss of cognitive functioning).

Loneliness is a symptom found under many disorders, but it is not a mental health problem per se.?

You can always consider a therapist if you feel this is something that is bothering you and you feel like you need someone to talk to!