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Lonely But Not Alone.

It is a human response to perceived isolation. These emotions are both complex and unique to each individual. Loneliness is a state of solitude or being alone. Loneliness can make people feel unworthy, empty, and unwanted. They crave human attention. Loneliness is not about being alone, it is feeling isolated that is how a person goes to a phase of loneliness. One can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely.

It is an unpleasant feeling. Loneliness is experienced by almost all kinds of people, be it people in marriages or people having strong bonds, those with successful carriers, and even with those people who are friends with everybody. chronic loneliness is considered very harmful, it is a significant risk factor for mental and physical health outcomes.

Types of loneliness are:

Social Loneliness

It is experienced by people who are not a member or a part of any group or community causing lack of a wider social network. They feel that they do not have friends that they can rely on when they’re in distress.

Emotional Loneliness

It is a result of a lack of deep and nurturing relationships with their close ones. These needs can be fulfilled by close friends, family, and romantic partners.

Family Loneliness

It is experienced when an individual feels a lack of connection with their family members.

Romantic Loneliness

It is experienced by adolescents and adults who lack a close bond with their partner. People who are in a romantic relationship experience less loneliness compared to single people as the relationship provides them with emotional intimacy.

Several other types of loneliness exist like existential loneliness and cosmic loneliness which is feeling alone in a hostile universe. Cultural loneliness is found among immigrants who miss their culture.

Causes:

1. Existential – It is a universal condition, which is moderately felt by everyone at least once.

2. Cultural- Migrants can suffer from loneliness due to missing their home culture.

3. Relationship loss- Loss of a loved one or breakup. It is caused due to the disturbance in one’s close circle which may result in loneliness.

4. Social Contagion- It can spread through social groups like diseases.

5. Internet – Excessive usage of the internet can directly cause anxiety and depression which can contribute to loneliness.

Signs of loneliness:

1. Constantly feel tired.

2. Spending a lot of time on social media.

3. Loneliness can wreck restful sleep.

4. Long hours in the shower.

Effects :

1. Disturbed sleep

2. suicidal thoughts

3. Transient

4. Chronic loneliness

Difference

Feeling lonely Vs. being socially isolated.

There is a difference between feeling lonely and socially isolated like a loner. It is a discrepancy between one’s necessary and achieved levels of social interaction, whereas solitude is simply the lack of contact with people. A person feels lonely when a certain type of social interaction is not available. A person in a party surrounded by people can feel lonely. Conversely, a person alone will not be feeling lonely.