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The connection between social isolation and mental health has been scientifically proven – if a person does not feel they belong to any community, they are at risk for developing a mental disorder as well as getting physically sick.
Our article is going to elaborate on the negative impact of isolation on a person’s health, list the ways to handle social isolation, and underline the significance of therapy for people who want to break free from their loneliness.
What Is Social Isolation?
Social isolation can be defined as the lack of quality social interactions. If you do not feel included, supported, and respected by your relatives, friends, and colleagues, it is easy to feel lonely – the isolation from society, however, often means the absence of other people to connect with in the first place.
Whether you were forced to isolate yourself due to no fault of your own or you deliberately chose solitude, social isolation can negatively affect your life – studies have shown lack of contact with people leads to personality changes, mental health disorders, and even physical illnesses.
Psychological Impacts of Social Isolation
| Effect of Isolation | Description |
| Stress and Anxiety | You may feel uneasy and tense, experience panic attacks, lash out at others, and be very negative towards yourself for no apparent reason – these are just the few possible manifestations of chronic stress and nervousness an isolated individual might exhibit |
| Fatigue | Feeling tired from time to time does not automatically indicate the presence of a problem; however, feeling exhausted, numb, and empty no matter how much rest you have had often implies the isolation got to you |
| Sleep Disturbances | Whether you are sleeping too much, not sleeping enough, struggling to fall asleep for a long time, or feeling tired even after eight hours of sleep, all this may indicate a deeper psychological disorder |
| Suicidal Thoughts | When the pain of loneliness overpowers you, it may force you to contemplate suicide. If you started considering ending your life, we implore you to reach out to a therapist for help |
Social Isolation and Physical Health Risks
Mental health impacts of loneliness should not be the only thing to worry about – people who do not engage with others and lack social support have increased risks of becoming ill. Whether their mental state affects their lifestyle which leads to otherwise preventable diseases, they do not have family and friends taking care of them and noticing early symptoms of manageable illnesses, or their cognitive function is reduced because they simply do not have anyone to talk to, there are short- and long-term consequences for your body as well as for your mind.
Vulnerable Populations at Higher Risk of Social Isolation
| Population Group | Description |
Older People | Unfortunately, people over the age of 60 end up isolated from society – the effects of social isolation are even worse when the individual no longer works, their partner dies, and their children live separately |
Adolescents | When a teenager grows up, they may find themselves isolated from their parents and peers – the changes in their bodies and minds make it challenging to connect to others which is why a young person becomes prone to loneliness and severe mental health disorders if they have no one to open up to |
Immigrants | Unable to go back to their home country and leaving behind families and friends – no wonder an individual who starts a new chapter in a foreign land feels isolated and misunderstood. Local diasporas and communities help alleviate this burden but if the person was forced to immigrate for political and social reasons, it is crucial they get proper mental health support |
People With Chronic Illnesses | Left alone with their pain and emotional distress about their future after a grim diagnosis, a person can experience immense loneliness especially if they cannot participate in social events or their treatment makes them weak and bedridden |
How the Pandemic Has Increased Social Isolation
Not only the impact of COVID-19 was immediate – its consequences have persisted to the present day. People had to stay at home, so the majority of the population was forced to study, work, and connect with others via a phone or computer. If you lived alone during that time or lacked meaningful communication with others, the loneliness must have been difficult to deal with – whether you had to graduate online missing out on a prom or you were unable to take care of older relatives stuck alone in their homes.
Studies that focused on the relationship between social isolation and mental health showed that people who struggled with various mental health symptoms prior to the pandemic had to manage more serious symptoms and disorders during the time of forced isolation – if a person felt occasional loneliness pangs in the past, after the social distancing it could have developed into depression. Moreover, worries about physical health and possibly catching and spreading the disease further worsened the mental well-being of people who had to pay even closer attention to their health than before.
Coping Strategies for Dealing with Social Isolation
| Mental Health Advice | Description |
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone | It is often challenging to change your environment and make new friends and acquaintances yet the benefits of this decision cannot be overlooked. If you struggle with making connections in the real world, look for friends with similar hobbies and interests online – this is how you can fulfill your need for connection and feel yourself a part of society |
Do Not Neglect Your Physical Health | Regular exercise, proper diet, and mindfulness techniques – while you are coping with social isolation, you should practice self-care to ensure this area of life is not affected. Additionally, pushing yourself to go out more even if you are taking a walk can lead to new opportunities to meet others and reduce your loneliness |
Talk to a Therapist | A professional therapist will give you space to sort out your emotions and address the source of isolation – if you have no one to talk to, reach out to a mental health provider and book the first appointment to see if therapy is the right move for you in your current state |
When to Seek Help: Addressing the Mental Health Effects of Isolation
In certain cases the emotional effects of isolation can be so severe you may feel you cannot handle the overwhelming loneliness on your own – if reaching out to people around you for help brings you no relief, it may be time to consider therapy. There is a certain stigma associated with therapy as if people who seek it are unable to deal with their issues on their own. Always remember that mental health is not different from physical health in this regard – you should not postpone a visit to a doctor if you are feeling physical pain. There is no reason to avoid therapy if your isolation becomes unbearable.
A therapist equipped with valuable knowledge to help patients like yourself will listen to you without judging – at the very minimum, you will discover what type of therapy works best for you, what could have triggered the current mental health issues you are experiencing, and what techniques can be implemented to make you feel less lonely.
Moving Towards Reconnection and Support
It is well-known that being alone can allow you to center yourself and your needs especially if you failed to do so in the past; however, continued isolation results in prolonged discomfort, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression.
Do not shut down from others and do not prevent yourself from experiencing new things and feeling emotions that quite literally can save your life – and if you believe you cannot tackle the loneliness and isolation with your resources only, take advantage of therapy.
FAQs
- Is there a link between social isolation and mental health?
While a bit of time spent on your own is totally fine and every individual goes through periods of loneliness in their life, feeling isolated for a long time can lead to serious physical and psychological problems – from cognitive decline to depression.
- Who is more likely to feel the impact of social isolation?
Usually marginalized groups of the population are the ones who feel disconnected from society; furthermore, a person going through a life transition such as adolescence, relocation to a different city or country, or retirement can struggle with their emotions and feel unexpectedly isolated from their peers.
- Can social isolation affect my physical health?
People who do not have a lot of relationships in their lives are more prone to physical ailments – many isolated individuals struggle with high blood pressure, diabetes, and dementia. When you do not have someone checking up on you, early symptoms of any disease can be missed or brushed off.
- How to cope with loneliness and isolation?
Motivate yourself to explore new things and interests, concentrate on the balance between your body and mind, cherish relationships you already have in your life, and do not hesitate to confess you are struggling to other people – the support of your inner circle can be the solution in the battle against isolation.
- Can therapy help me combat social isolation?
The office of a therapist can be a perfect place for you to address your issues including your inability to interact with others in a meaningful way. Counseling can help you understand the cause of your isolation and give you the skills required to move on to a better future.
