Theres also a difference between being alone and chronically lonely.
When yourealone, it can be an active choice to be in solitude.
You enjoy deep, fulfilling connections with others while having intentional time away on your own.
Maskot / Getty Images
Chronic loneliness is a profound aloneness from being involuntarilyisolatedfrom meaningful relationships for a long period of time.
You may be around others but still feel like you are an island of your own.
What Does It Mean to Be Chronically Lonely?
Developing a connection with others is an enduring desire that begins in infancy with our earliest caregivers.
Theres a biological incentive to get along with others and thrive.
Being alone without acommunitycan cause suffering, sadness, silence, and pain.
Chronic loneliness isnt considered a specific mental health condition but a psychological natural phenomenon and a public health epidemic.
Newer research has also recognized high rates of loneliness among older LGBTQ+ people.
It may feel insurmountable to get out of chronic loneliness but its far from impossible.
Its important to remember: loneliness is a totally normal and universal experience that happens to everyone.
The solution for chronic loneliness is connecting with others.
However, thats easier said than done.
It takes courage to open yourself to others and risk rejection when you already feel so vulnerable.
Darban F, Safarzai E, Koohsari E, Kordi M.Does attachment style predict quality of life in youth?
A cross-sectional study in Iran.Health Psychol Res.
2019;14(7):e0219663.
A review on the psychological aspects of loneliness.Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research : JCDR.
2014;8(9):WE01.
doi:10.7860%2FJCDR%2F2014%2F10077.4828
Tiwari SC.Loneliness: A disease?Indian J Psychiatry.
2017;1(Suppl 1):606.
Mushtaq R, Shoib S, Shah T, Mushtaq S.Relationship between loneliness, psychiatric disorders and physical health ?
A review on the psychological aspects of loneliness.J Clin Diagn Res.
2014;8(9):WE01-WE04.
2015;112(49):15142-15147.
The CDC.Loneliness and social isolation linked to serious health conditions.
2020;39(5):447-483.
2020;39(3):301-310.
2022;5(10):e2236676.
National Academies Press (US); 2020.
