Loneliness

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to feeling isolated. Scientists often describe it as a form of social pain. This pain serves as a psychological mechanism. It motivates people to seek out social connections. Loneliness is different from solitude. Solitude is simply the state of being alone. Many people enjoy solitude without feeling lonely. Loneliness is a subjective emotion. This means a person can feel lonely even when surrounded by other people.

In 1973, Robert S. Weiss identified two principal types of loneliness. He published these ideas in his work, *Loneliness: The Experience of Emotional and Social Isolation*. The first type is social loneliness. This occurs when a person lacks a wider social network. These individuals may feel they lack a community or allies to help during distress. The second type is emotional loneliness. This results from a lack of deep, nurturing relationships. Weiss linked this to attachment theory. People need deep attachments with family or romantic partners. In 1997, Enrico DiTommaso and Barry Spinner further divided emotional loneliness. They identified family loneliness and romantic loneliness as distinct categories.

Loneliness can be categorized by how long it lasts. Transient loneliness occurs for a short period. This type can actually have positive effects. It can help a person focus on the strength of their existing relationships. Chronic loneliness is much more serious. This is loneliness that exists for a significant amount of time. Chronic loneliness is linked to many negative health outcomes. These include obesity and substance use disorder. It is also correlated with depression and cardiovascular disease. It can lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In severe cases, it increases the risk of death and suicidal thoughts.

Many complex factors can cause loneliness to begin. It can result from systemic issues or genetic inheritance. Cultural factors also play a role. For example, migrants may miss their home culture. This is often seen in students moving from collectivist Asian cultures to individualist English-speaking countries. Some people also lack meaningful relationships due to their family history. This might involve abusive environments or religious shunning. Relationship loss is another common cause. The death of a loved one or a breakup can trigger a grief response. Even life events like the birth of a child can cause loneliness through postpartum depression.

Technology and the internet have changed how we experience connection. There is a moderate correlation between extensive internet use and loneliness. Some researchers suggest the displacement hypothesis. This idea says people withdraw from the real world to spend time online. However, the relationship is often bidirectional. This means loneliness and internet use affect each other in both directions. Moderate use can actually reduce loneliness if people actively engage with others. Passive consumption of content is more likely to be linked to isolation.

Loneliness has been a major theme in human history. The *Epic of Gilgamesh* is one of the earliest literary examples. In the 1930s, the writer Thomas Wolfe argued that loneliness is an inevitable fact of human existence. He believed everyone feels lonely in a way they think is unique. Some academics view loneliness as an existential condition. This view suggests that because human life has limits, we can never fully satisfy our need for connection. In the 21st century, some professionals call loneliness an epidemic. Vivek Murthy, a former U.S. Surgeon General, has been among those making this claim.

Research shows that loneliness is widespread across all groups. It is found even among people in successful careers or marriages. However, it is most common among younger people. The BBC Loneliness Experiment found that 40% of people aged 16–24 feel lonely. In contrast, only about 27% of people over age 75 report feeling lonely. While genes play a role, they are not the main cause. A 2016 study found that the heredity of loneliness is only about 14% to 27%. This means individual experiences and the environment are much more influential. To help, people can use medical treatments like therapy or antidepressants. Social treatments include joining groups, owning pets, or connecting with a community.