Loneliness is a subjective sensation, but it can have devastating effects if you experience it non-stop for a long period of time.
Many experts believe that humans developed loneliness as an evolutionary tool. In this theory, loneliness reminded our ancestors that seeking peers and spending time as a group increased our chances of survival.
However, like other types of mental health issues, chronic loneliness can have the opposite effect and contribute to unwanted changes in the brain.
What are the long-term effects of loneliness on the brain? In this article, we will explore this concept, define loneliness, and share signs that this emotion is affecting the brain. We will also provide tips to combat loneliness and explain what external factors can cause this emotion. Check more about traumatic brain injury symptoms.
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Can Loneliness Affect Brain Health?
Before learning how to deal with loneliness, it’s important to understand the impact it can have on the brain.
Researchers have been aware of a link between loneliness and cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease for a while.
Scientists now believe that the body researches inflammatory chemicals when experiencing loneliness, which can contribute to the onset of brain diseases.
Likewise, the higher heart rate and blood pressure that plague people experiencing loneliness also increase the chances of developing serious conditions later on. In other words, chronic loneliness can damage not only the brain but also critical organs like the heart as well.
What Is Loneliness?
If you’re expecting a clear loneliness definition, you’ll be surprised to find that the term is somewhat ambiguous.
Loneliness is sometimes defined as the state of being alone or in solitude, but this is not always the case. There are many instances where you can feel lonely even when surrounded by people.
Instead, loneliness is now viewed as a state of mind where the person experiencing this emotion feels disconnected from the reality around them. In this sense, you can have the perception of being alone and isolated even if you’re physically with a person or group of people.
For many, the feeling of loneliness isn’t simply about being alone. It usually comes with a feeling that your life doesn’t have meaning and is therefore inherently empty.
There are a few different types of loneliness, including:
- Emotional
- Social
- Existential
It’s possible to experience all of these chronically, so you have to identify the type of emotion affecting you to address it properly. Moreover, it’s important to understand that loneliness may be caused by intangible issues as well as physical injuries and blows to the head during an accident.
Impact of Long-Term Loneliness and Brain Health
It’s a well-known fact that loneliness can lead to additional mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and elevated stress levels.
Depression can induce strong feelings of sadness, despair, and hopelessness. It’s way too common for people experiencing depression to remain silent and avoid sharing with others. This lack of social support can bolster the symptoms and make it harder to cope with everyday life.
Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand, but they are two different and equally damaging emotions. Among the most common signs of loneliness, anxiety makes it difficult for you to interact with others and engage in social situations. The worst part is that the anxiety drives you away from your loved ones, creating a vicious cycle.
Lastly, focusing on negative thoughts and ruminating on issues can result in elevated stress levels. This can have detrimental effects on your physical as well as your mental health, leading to issues like substance abuse, sleep problems, and a negative self-image.
External Factors that Can Cause Loneliness
Before delving further, it’s important to understand that loneliness can be caused by a combination of factors.
Moreover, this emotion is subjective—it may seem like you have no good reason to feel lonely, but if this is the emotion you’re feeling, it’s essential to give yourself grace and find a solution that helps you feel like yourself again.
With that said, here are some of the external factors that can influence or cause loneliness.
- Damage to the pituitary gland and other parts of the brain caused by trauma
- Being in a toxic romantic relationship
- Moving or relocating from one place to another, usually to a new city or country
- Aging and retirement
- Bullying, discrimination, or being targeted at a personal, family, or social level
- Divorce and breaking up a long-term relationship
Signs of Loneliness-Related Brain Issues
Let’s go over a few tell-tale loneliness symptoms.
- Feelings of sadness, despair, and/or emptiness
- Low self-esteem and sensitivity to rejection
- A sensation of being disconnected from reality
- Social withdrawal and excessive focus on work
- A constant quest for validation and an overuse of social media
It’s important to note that there is no sure-fire list of instructions on how to cure loneliness. On the contrary, you need to determine what’s at the root of your discontent and work on that side of your reality, as it’s the only real way to get rid of chronic loneliness for good.
How to Combat Brain Issues Related to Loneliness
According to loneliness statistics, about 25% of adults experience this emotion. As such, it’s important to understand the different steps you can take to improve your mental health and start feeling like yourself again.
To combat loneliness and related brain issues, you can:
- Strengthen existing personal relationships through dialogue
- Rely on friends and family to support you by being transparent
- Be kind to yourself and understand it’s a common experience you’re trying to overcome
- Exchange digital with face-to-face interactions
- Seek professional support to get to the root of your problems
Health Risks Associated with Loneliness
In addition to anxiety, depression, and elevated stress, loneliness can actually produce a wide range of health issues.
The health effects of loneliness also include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cognitive decline and dementia
- Weakened immune system
- Sleep disorders
- Higher risk of substance abuse
Get the Legal Help You Need Today
Experiencing chronic loneliness can lead to an array of additional symptoms, like depression and other mental health issues. With that said, it’s important to find the responsible party if your loneliness is due to an external factor.
If you’re experiencing severe bouts of loneliness that began after an accident, the two may actually be related. Accidents can damage parts of the brain that influence this emotion, not to mention the fact that disfigurement can also lead to withdrawal and loneliness patterns.
Brain Injury Law of Seattle specializes in helping people experiencing loneliness as a result of an accident or negligence on behalf of a third party. Contact our team of attorneys today to schedule a consultation free of charge and get assistance from experienced legal experts.
