Loneliness

People often choose to spend time alone and find it pleasurable and positive, butloneliness is not the same as being alone. Loneliness can produce feelings of anxiety, worthlessness and a lack of motivation. Such feelings can also prevent one from developing healthy relationships.

Lonely people believe “Everyone else has friends” or “There must be something wrong with me.”

In fact, a wide range of life events can trigger loneliness. Examples include the death of a loved one, divorce, a breakup of a longstanding relationship, relocation to a new city or losing a job. Loneliness can also occur within relationships where there is anger, resentment or when love is not given, acknowledged or shown.

Negative Effects of Loneliness

Loneliness can:

• Play a part in alcoholism
• Disrupt normal sleep patterns
• Interfere with learning
• Lead to clinical depression.

How is Loneliness Described?

There are many descriptions of loneliness such as feeling:

• A lack of bonding with people around you
• Disconnected from others
• There is no one in your life who really cares
• Left out

How Therapy Can Help You Overcome Loneliness

A therapist can help you:

• Understand the underlying causes of your problem such as childhood experiences or your family’s style of interacting, for example
• Address negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs
• Explore alternative approaches to your daily living and behaviors that will allow you to become more available to those around you
• Address communication styles, which often contribute to loneliness