Surprising Effects of Social Isolation

I often hear a lot of talk about introversion and extroversion. Most people talk about these categorizations as stable and unchanging. Yet, we know from psychological studies that personality is more malleable than that.

In particular, there are effects of social isolation on our brains that are well known and are important to consider, especially after these past two years.

You may be experiencing some of these symptoms yourself or see them in others.

It can be difficult to know when you are experiencing a personality difference and when you are experiencing social anxiety. In this article, you will gain more insight into your own social behaviors as well as those of others.

Studies on social isolation show us that social isolation is detrimental to the minds and bodies of humans.

Yet, the rate at which these negative effects are experienced depends on how introverted or extroverted a person is. This means that an extrovert will experience the ill effects of social isolation much sooner.

Social isolation increases stress hormones in the body to unhealthy levels, as well as raises tachykinin. Tachykinin is responsible for increasing feelings of aggression and irritability in humans.

Additionally, we know that as individuals spend more time alone, they tend to become more introverted. There is essentially a sort of atrophy of extraversion as the brain functions on a 'use it or lose it' type of system.

Social isolation leads to:

1. Increased social hunger
2. Increased stress hormones and chronic inflammation
3. Increased feelings of aggression and irritability
4. Atrophy of extraversion

Like most things in psychological science, these effects are somewhat confusing, and they depend a great deal on individual differences and the length and severity of the isolation period.

Yet, we can see many of these effects playing out now—especially aggression and irritability, and atrophy of extraversion.

Many individuals have the sensation of losing social skills and having difficulty in social situations after the pandemic.

It is crucial to differentiate between the ill effects of social isolation and personality.

If you were a fairly extroverted person before the pandemic and you find yourself avoiding social situations, this may be due to the ill effects of social isolation.

For you, it may be most beneficial to push through the discomfort and go to parties and functions. There will be temporary discomfort, but in the long run, you will be able to satisfy your social hunger in a more effective way.

This social hunger is critical to understand. According to psychological research, extroverts and introverts actually enjoy social interaction. The difference is in their social hunger. Introverts are satisfied with small social interactions much more quickly and therefore feel "socially full" with minor interactions. While extroverts require larger quantities of social interaction to feel full.

Personally, I tend to fall right in the middle. I have extroverted and introverted tendencies. Yet, I do feel I have become more introverted during the pandemic, not by choice.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a large gathering at a friend's house and was reminded of just how replenishing being around others can be.

Like other needs, social connection is something we can go without and be fairly okay. But we cannot thrive without satisfying our individual social hunger.

These past few years you may have gotten used to going hungry. You may have even forgotten it's something you need. You may even feel irritable around people as a result of long-term social isolation.

This is your sign to take the leap and start filling up on social connections again. Trust me it's worth it.

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