Are there lonely people

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Perspect Public Health. Kime N. Being the primary carer for someone close to you who is sick or has a disability can often make you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. How normal is it to feel lonely? Disability, illness, racism and loneliness Sometimes loneliness can be caused by something else going on in our lives. Here are some of the major issues which can cause loneliness: Mental illness.

A lot of mental illnesses like bipolar, anxiety and depression can all make people feel very lonely. Mental illness can make you anxious about seeing others, so you might spend more time indoors.

Or it can lead to insomnia, which in turn can make you tired, irritable and lonely. A range of disabilities can often make people feel as though there is no one around them that cares. These feelings can get even worse if people in public are unkind or rude, and facing daily discrimination can make loneliness even harder to bear.

People who encounter racism say that being discriminated against can make them feel alone, and can make it harder for them to form real connections. When do people feel lonely? Then, move on. Connections with other people help us thrive as human beings and face the slings and arrows of daily life. No one needs to feel completely isolated—even when we are physically distancing. There are steps we can take to form or cultivate close bonds, whether in person or virtually.

Sian Leah Beilock is president of Barnard College. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options.

Discover World-Changing Science. Deep friendships are becoming rare, especially among the young. Loneliness is a state of mind linked to wanting human contact but feeling alone.

People can be alone and not feel lonely, or they can have contact with people and still experience feelings of isolation. Contributing factors to loneliness include situational variables, such as physical isolation, moving to a new location, and divorce. The death of someone significant in a person's life can also lead to feelings of loneliness. Additionally, it can be a symptom of a psychological disorder such as depression. Depression often causes people to withdrawal socially, which can lead to isolation.

Research also suggests that loneliness can be a factor that contributes to symptoms of depression. Loneliness can also be attributed to internal factors such as low self-esteem. People who lack confidence in themselves often believe that they are unworthy of the attention or regard of other people, which can lead to isolation and chronic loneliness.

Personality factors may also play a role. Introverts , for example, might be less likely to cultivate and seek social connections, which can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Loneliness has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental health , including:. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

These are not the only areas in which loneliness takes its toll. For example, lonely adults get less exercise than those who are not lonely. Their diet is higher in fat, their sleep is less efficient, and they report more daytime fatigue. Loneliness also disrupts the regulation of cellular processes deep within the body, predisposing lonely people to premature aging. People who feel less lonely are more likely to be married, have higher incomes, and have higher educational status. High levels of loneliness are associated with physical health symptoms, living alone, small social networks, and low-quality social relationships.

Statistics suggest that loneliness is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in younger generations. The rise of the internet and ironically, social media, are partially to blame.

Experts believe that it is not the quantity of social interaction that combats loneliness, but the quality. Having a few close friends is enough to ward off loneliness and reduce the negative health consequences associated with this state of mind.

Research suggests that the experience of actual face-to-face contact with friends helps boost people's sense of well-being. One study suggests that loneliness may actually be contagious. Research has found that non-lonely people who spend time with lonely people are more likely to develop feelings of loneliness.