Loneliness Definition and Causes: How to Deal With Loneliness

Loneliness is an emotional state one experiences alongside unmet needs for fulfilling relationships and social contacts. People might feel pain, sadness, or other uncomfortable emotions because of social isolation or the perception of isolation. A lack of social relationships or meaningful connections with existing relationships can cause feelings of loneliness. Chronic loneliness can lead to mental health and physical health issues.

The emotions of loneliness and solitude are similar, but these feelings have different causes. Often, people who experience loneliness voluntarily engage in social situations. Solitude describes people who abstain from social interactions. Those who cultivate regular alone time often do not identify as lonely; solitude is usually a voluntary self-care practice.

Loneliness is a universal human condition. Types of loneliness include emotional loneliness, existential loneliness, and social loneliness:

1. 1. Emotional loneliness: This type of loneliness can afflict people who feel they do not have close friends, family members, or a romantic partner with whom they can express their feelings, whether because these people are absent or emotionally unavailable. People might experience emotional loneliness after a breakup or while grieving the loss of a loved one.
2. 2. Existential loneliness: If a person lacks meaningful purpose in life and questions the nature of existence, they might feel existential loneliness.
3. 3. Social loneliness: A person without a strong support system might experience social loneliness. This type of loneliness occurs when a person has an unmet need for belonging; however, people with social anxiety can also feel social loneliness, even when spending time with friends and family.

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