Loneliness
LONELINESS
About:
Loneliness is not being alone physically. Instead, it is the perception of being lonely and a feeling of isolation. It is a state of mind with constant feelings or thoughts of emptiness, unwantedness, helplessness, worthlessness and need for human contact – lasting for 2 weeks and more.
Technology has been overpowering human contact, making them feel lonely. It is ironic, with an increase in population there is also an increase in the graph of loneliness.
Sometimes transient loneliness remains beneficial and encourages the strength and power of relationship. At the other hand, chronic or long-term loneliness is a risk factor for poor mental and physical health.
Types of loneliness:
- Social loneliness
- Emotional loneliness
- Family loneliness
- Romantic loneliness
Causes:
- Depression anhedonia, hopelessness, worthlessness, low mood, poor interest
- Migration to new places
- Domestic violence (makes a person emotionally tortured & lonely)
- Personality, borderline
- Breakups or separation
- Death of a beloved person
- Barrier of communication
- Social anxiety
- Psychological (dependency on someone)
How to identify loneliness?
Loneliness affects both physical as well as mental health.
- Boredom, bleak, faded colours of life, rotten smell
- Suicidal thoughts (50% more attempts than the normal population)
- Decreased performance
- Low mood, crying spells
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Disturbed sleep
- Gap between effort and output i.e. efficiency
- Low interaction
- Family, friends and children suffer
- Weight changes
- Physical illness due to the release of increased stress hormones, like hypertension, decreased immune system, diabetes mellitus
Alarming signs of loneliness:
- Persistent low or depressed mood
- Severe anxiety symptoms
- Increased thoughts of self-injurious behaviour or suicidal ideas
- Affecting on work, job, finances, business
- Family, personal life suffering
- Daily activities change
- Relationship is on stake
How Udgam can help you?
- Acknowledging the issue/finding out reasons
- Find someone with whom you can share
- Get involved in your hobbies
- Take psychological help/psychotherapy
- Exercises, meditation, dance classes, gym,
- Following a healthy diet
- Avoiding alcohol and/or other substances
- Increased surveillance by family, friend, employer
- Antidepressants
- Reconnect with old friends
