HEALTH + WELLNESS
THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC
IT ’ S OFFICIAL : LONELINESS IS NOW A GLOBAL HEALTH CONCERN . THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ( WHO ) HAS DECLARED LONELINESS TO BE A SUCH PRESSING GLOBAL HEALTH THREAT THAT THEY ’ VE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A THREE-YEAR INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE PROBLEM LED BY US SURGEON-GENERAL DR VIVEK MURTHY , WHO ’ S BOLDLY STATED THAT THE MORTALITY EFFECTS OF LONELINESS ARE EQUIVALENT TO SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY . SO , WHAT EXACTLY COMPRISES LONELINESS ? HOW HAS THE PROBLEM BECOME SUCH A SIGNIFICANT STATE OF EMERGENCY ? AND , CRUCIALLY , WHAT CAN WE DO TO RECOGNISE IT IN OURSELVES AND TO COMBAT ITS UNHEALTHY ONSET ?
BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
W hile outdated definitions of loneliness describe it as a state of solitude or being alone , loneliness is a state of mind causing people to feel empty , alone and unwanted – as though they don ’ t belong but often can ’ t quite put their finger on why . People who are lonely often crave human contact , but their outlook makes it more difficult to form connections with others .
Heavily associated with social isolation , poor social skills , introversion and depression , according to many experts the key to understanding loneliness is to understand it ’ s differentiation from isolation ; it ’ s less about being physically alone and more about feeling alone – even in a room full of people .
While research clearly shows that both loneliness and intense periods of isolation are bad for both mental and physical health , being alone is not the same as being lonely , and periods of solitude have been shown to have numerous important mental health benefits such as increased focus and a greater capacity to recharge .
These key differences have been identified in separating the two . Loneliness manifests in feelings of isolation despite wanting social connections and is often perceived as an involuntary separation , rejection or abandonment by other people . Solitude is voluntary . People who enjoy spending time by themselves continue to maintain positive social relationships that they can return to when they crave connection , so they still spend time with others , but these interactions are balanced with periods of time alone .
According to the Campaign to End Loneliness ( CEL ), an initiative set up in 2011 by experts in the field of loneliness and connection with a shared vision that everyone should live a life free from chronic loneliness , almost four million Britons are chronically lonely , meaning they feel that way ‘ often or always ’. “ People who are often or always lonely have a higher risk of developing certain mental health problems , such as anxiety and depression ,” the CEL says . “ This kind of loneliness is also associated with increased thoughts of suicide .”
So worrying are these stats that the aforementioned surgeon-general , Dr Vivek Murthy , has issued an urgent warning about loneliness and social isolation , going so far as to call it an epidemic . “ Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of premature death by 26 % and 29 % respectively ,” he warned . “ More broadly , poor or insufficient social connection is associated with increased risk of disease , including a 29 % increased risk of heart disease and a 32 % increased risk of stroke . Furthermore , it ’ s associated with an increased risk of anxiety , depression and dementia , and may increase susceptibility to viruses and respiratory illness .”
In the name of research , while writing this feature I decided to see how I ranked on UCLA loneliness scale ( psytests . org / ipl / uclaen . html ), which was first introduced in 1978 and , after two revisions , remains one of the most accurate measures . How often do I feel alone ? It asked . How often do I feel that my relationships with others are not meaningful ? Never , rarely , sometimes ,
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