Dr. Archna Jain

There are people who feel lonely but are alone and there are those who choose to be alone but are not necessarily alone, i. E. Surrounded by people. So what make us feel lonely? is it just isolation from social life or one can be lonely in the midst of all social activities? today psychologist Shivani sadhoo answers some of the interesting facts and mind factors behind being alone and being lonely.

First understand, loneliness is a universal human emotion, yet it is both a complex and unique to each individual. It is commonly described as a state of solitude or being alone but in reality, loneliness is a state of mind. This state of mind causes people to feel empty, alone and unwanted. People who are lonely often crave human contact, but their state of mind makes it more difficult to form connections with other people. Loneliness as per psychological definition is not necessarily about staying living physically alone, instead, it is the perception of being alone and isolated that matters the most.

For example, a newly joined office employee, who has difficulty in making friends and making himself/herself noticed, might feel lonely despite being surrounded by hundreds of office mates. Similarly, if a girl or a boy finds it difficult to express his/her pain, fears, feelings through verbal expressions, i. E. By talking, he/she might feel alone among a group of friends who would be all talking about themselves and would consider this person to have no trouble in life.

Loneliness has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental health. Some of the health risks associated with loneliness includes:

• cardiovascular diseases and strokes
• depression and suicide, 
• alcoholism and smoking, 
• progression of Alzheimer's disease

Generally, it's very difficult to recognize if someone feels lonely and sometimes even the sufferer doesn't recognize for the whole life that he/she was lonely deep inside.

One can cure loneliness:-

• by first identifying themselves that they suffer from loneliness.
• by realizing themselves that loneliness is a hazardous condition and they should fix it.
• if the person suffers from difficulties to express themselves to others, lacks effective communication skills, feels shy and stressed in social gathering then its advisable to take a help from experts like a mental health professional or a psychologist.
   

Depression is a very common emotion you might have experienced at least once during your lifetime. Depression refers to a state of mind when you are feeling low due to persistent sadness and loss of interest. But if the depression is chronic and long lasting for you, then it indicates that you are suffering from clinical depression. Under clinical depression, it is preferable that you go through a proper treatment course by a certified therapist. The Most common types of depressions are:

1. Major depression - Under this type of a depression you will be depressed for most days of the week and if this condition extends for a period greater than 2 weeks, then it is a case of major depression. The most common method to treat a major depression is to talk to a mental health specialist and take medications called antidepressants (only after a prescription by a certified doctor).
2. Persistent depressive disorder - This is a more severe and long lasting type of depression which is identified if you are depressed over a period longer than 2 hours. The most common symptoms of this type of a disorder are - change in your appetite, too much or too little sleep, lack of energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, trouble concentrating or making decisions, feeling hopeless among others.
3. Bipolar disorder - If you are experiencing extreme ups and downs of mood abruptly and without any apparent reason, then you might be suffering from this disorder. This disorder is commonly known as a maniac depression, because during an up phase you will be extremely happy, joyful outgoing and talkative but during the low phase you will be sad, tired and depressed.
4. Seasonal affective disorder - This type of a depression might bother you only during the winter season. This happens whenever the days are shorter and your body is not able to get enough of sunlight. This mostly happens in the case of people who are very fond of sunlight, and they prefer the sunshine over dark periods of the night. This disorder is treated by SAD antidepressants and everyday light therapy of 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Psychotic depression - Under this type of a depression, you will have a major depression along with some psychotic symptoms like - hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Hallucinations mean viewing things that are not there, in reality, delusions are false beliefs or misconceptions and paranoia is the constant fear that somebody is going to harm you.

'Consult'.

Related Tip: Depression: Why is this SILENT KILLER taking our YOUTH away?