Book Online Counselling and Treatment for Feelings of Loneliness

Mental Health Care for Feeling Isolated and Alone

Feeling lonely is a mental state. It makes you seek human interaction, yet your mind makes it tough to connect with others. This condition, according to researchers, is linked to social isolation, poor social skills, introversion, and depression. You can feel lonely in a crowded environment. To paint a picture, a college freshman may feel lonely even though they have roommates and peers surrounding them. Or, an introvert will feel lonely at a party.

The academic definition of loneliness is broad and does not encompass all the different ways people experience it. It does not capture the specific emotional states people experience when lonely. A new parent caring for their baby all day and seeking adult connection may experience loneliness differently than a college freshman leaving their hometown and moving into a dorm room with strangers.

Additionally, because of COVID-19, this feeling has spread its claws all over the world. We were cut off from each other, with no person-to-person contact during a very anxious and destabilizing time. It does not feel good to be lonely. There are ways to prevent or eliminate this feeling. These can include accepting that you are alone, actively reaching out to others, and counselling sessions.

Major Causes

Many factors could make you feel lonely:

• Physical variables: If you have moved to a new city, are recently divorced, or are physically isolated, it all can lead to feeling lonely. The death of a loved one, such as your parents or spouse, can also contribute to this feeling. This feeling may pass as you start to get along with the changes, but they could also stay with you for a long time.
• Lack of meaningful connection: This condition is exacerbated by a lack of meaningful relationships, which is why you can feel lonely despite a substantial social network. Perhaps you have a lot of casual friends and spend your time doing social activities, but you don't feel particularly connected to anyone.
• Psychological disorders: Mental health disorders such as depression can often cause people to isolate themselves. This can make you feel lonely. Furthermore, this condition itself can be a factor that contributes to symptoms of depression.
• Having financial problems: A poor financial status can also make you feel lonely. Financial difficulties can induce humiliation, loss of identity, and stress, all of which can cause people to withdraw. Furthermore, these people may work two jobs or have inconsistent work patterns, making it difficult to interact with those around them.
• Low self-esteem: People who lack confidence in themselves frequently assume that they are undeserving of other people's attention or regard, which can lead to isolation. Chronic isolation, in turn, can make you feel lonely.
• Old age: People might become socially isolated for various reasons, including growing older or weaker, no longer being the centre of their family, losing their job, the deaths of spouses and friends, or disability or disease. All of their peers may have died, leaving them feeling isolated. Furthermore, forming acquaintances at this age is challenging since our ability to trust new people reduces as we age.
• Personality factors: If you are an introvert or have social anxiety, you are less likely to socialize and seek social connections, which can contribute to this dreadful feeling. When social activities require too much mental or physical energy, you may cancel more plans than you maintain. A continuous absence of social connection may eventually make you feel even worse.

Some people are at more risk of developing this condition. Studies indicate that immigrants, lesbians, gays, and bisexuals are far more lonely than any other group. Immigrants face language barriers and cultural differences, whereas queer people might encounter unfavourable family dynamics, stigma, and prejudice. Each element can lead to the social isolation of this group of people.

Other characteristics that may raise your chances of feeling lonely include:

• Being barred from participating in social activities due to the lack of cash.
• You are unable to leave your residence due to health or physical issues.
• If you are single and spend a lot of time with couples and families. This can happen even if you're happily single.
• If you have to take care of someone or are a single parent.
• There are no friends or family members.
• Weak or severed family ties.
• It may be challenging to form close connections if you have a history of sexual or physical abuse.

Common Signs

Some key signs of loneliness are:

• Decreased energy
• Feeling foggy or unable to focus
• Insomnia interrupted sleep or other sleep issues
• Decreased appetite
• A tendency to get sick frequently
• Body aches and pains
• Feelings of anxiousness or restlessness
• Increased shopping
• Substance misuse
• Increased desire to binge-watch television series or movies
• Feeling as if you've been misunderstood or ignored.
• Even while surrounded by others, you feel alone.
• Social encounters fatigue or burn you out.
• Feeling insecure
• Ruminating and reminiscing on the past
• Constant cravings for physical warmth, such as hot drinks, baths, or cosy clothes and blankets. This could be indicative of your need for companionship.

How to Cope With Your Symptoms

There are multiple ways to cope with feeling lonely. Here are some ways to manage your symptoms:

• Stay in touch with loved ones: If you've recently relocated, attempt to contact friends and family every week. Use social media platforms and apps such as Skype, Snapchat, and Facebook Messenger to interact with them via video. It may not feel the same as in-person contact, but it can help you remember that the people you love are still there for you.
• Strengthen a current relationship: While you are trying to build new connections, try improving your existing relationships. Call a friend or family member you have not spoken to in a while. This can be a great way to combat this feeling.
• Adopt a pet: Having another live entity to return home to can help you feel more complete. You will have someone at home who is eagerly waiting for you. Pets have been shown in studies to provide a variety of mental health advantages, including the reduction of lonely feelings. Furthermore, walking a dog or cat can improve your chances of meeting new individuals.
• Exercise frequently: Exercise has a positive impact on mental health. While exercise may not relieve this feeling of isolation, it can help improve your mood overall. This may offer some protection against the symptoms of this condition. If you join a gym or yoga classes, you will get more chances to talk to people. And if you play your cards right, you may find yourself with an exercise buddy.
• Go outside: Sunlight can help your body produce more serotonin, enhancing your mood. Spending time in nature can help ease depression, anxiety, and stress. You can participate in a group walk or team sport that might assist you in connecting with others.
• Talk to someone: Reaching out to someone in your life to discuss your feelings is important. This can be someone you know, such as a family member, but you might also consider talking to your doctor or a therapist. Online therapy can be a great option because it allows you to contact a therapist whenever convenient.

Ways to Interact and Make Connections

The best cure for loneliness is meeting new people and making new friends. Here are some ways to achieve that:

• Volunteer or participate in community events: Acts of kindness can help reduce feelings of isolation and create social connections. Find a few things that fascinate you and try to get active in them. Consider volunteering at library book sales, devoting a weekend a month to your local animal shelter, assisting with trash cleanup, or volunteering at a food bank. Such activities do not necessitate any particular training, professional therapy, specialized equipment, or personnel. It is something that anyone can accomplish, including you.
• Focus on quality: Make an effort to interact positively with others. It's not about how many individuals you interact with. It's all about the interaction's quality and how it makes you feel.
• Try a new hobby: If you're feeling lonely yet have a lot of spare time, consider doing something you've always wanted to try. It could be dancing, learning the guitar, woodworking, etc. If you are a college student, you can join in-house societies where you can learn dancing, singing, acting, and participate in competitions. You can look out for local interests and activities online. Apps like Facebook, Meetup, and BookMyShow can also help you find local events and meet people with similar interests.
• Get out of the house: Ditch your phones and laptops and try an evening out at your local theatre, or take a walk to your neighbourhood farmers market to get ingredients for your next meal. Aim to talk to a few new people each time you go out, even if it's as simple as a smile and “hello.” You can start by talking to the vendors, sellers, or people sitting next to you in the theatre. This will help you build your confidence and calm your anxiety. With time, you will learn to talk to almost anyone.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

Feeling alone and empty in a room full of people is not something many enjoy. In the long run, it will affect you mentally and physically. A therapist can help you feel better and teach you the skills you need to improve your social life.

For some, it may be improving social skills such as learning how to engage in conversation, speak on the phone, give compliments, grow comfortable with silence, and positive nonverbal communication. Or it can mean changing maladaptive thinking.

Feeling lonely for a long time can make you increasingly sensitive to rejection and hostility. Lonely individuals pay more attention to negative signs such as disagreement and criticism during social interactions. This may also prevent them from trying to socialize again.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

If you think about it, long-term loneliness is not caused by circumstances, lack of opportunity to meet people, or being an introvert. Each of them can be a reason for short-term loneliness which will resolve eventually. However, feeling lonely for a long time is caused by the persistent cycle of negative thinking. You need to break that cycle and seek professional help.

This condition can lead to premature death, cardiovascular health, dementia, declining cognitive health, and more. Book a therapy session with DocVita and start making friends. Your therapist is just one tap away. Book a session now.