Loneliness - the unspoken health problem

By ​Maria Tedesco - Clinical Psychologist

Photo by jannoon028 / Freepik

It is astounding that in a world like ours, where everything seems to be openly spoken about, there is a health crisis that is rarely mentioned, and that is loneliness. 

Loneliness is defined as a state of ‘solitary sadness’. Studies show that it not only makes you feel miserable it can shorten your life. Loneliness is correlated to higher systolic blood pressure, cognitive decline and overall increases in morbidity and mortality (1,2,3). We generally think of loneliness affecting those with chronic agoraphobia or debilitating OCD but, loneliness is subjective. It can afflict even the most ordinary of people.  
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It is a state of mind that can take hold when:

1. we go through something so tragic we no longer feel integrated with our peers or community;
2. we encounter a major unexpected life loss, like the loss of a job, partner or friend;
3. we encounter a disappointment or failure which results in emotional withdrawal and shame.  

There are many other paths to loneliness, and it can impact our thinking(1). Loneliness distorts our thoughts and has us believe people care far less than they actually do. This leads to debilitating behaviours of further withdrawal, anxiety, fear and sometimes suicide. Identifying loneliness is key, and psychological counselling can help relieve a person from their own cognitive distortions and improve their quality of life. ​
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(1) Cacioppo,J.T & Hawkley, L.C. (2010). Perceived social isolation and cognition. National Centre for Biotechnology Information 3(10), 447-454.
(2) Cacioppo, J.T et al. (2003) The anatomy of loneliness. American Psychology Society, 12(3), 71-74.  
(3) Perissinotto, C.M et al. (2012) Loneliness in Older Persons: a predictor of functional decline. Internal Medicine. 172(14), 10781084.