Physical distance is an effective way to slow the spread of many diseases. But, it can also lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for older people. People isolate themselves from others to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Isolation, however, has a major effect on health and social life, leading to depression, anxiety, and dementia.
For this cause, the WHO encourages people to socialize at a distance through online networks.
This article discusses how loneliness and mental health affect each other.
What Is Social Isolation?
Social isolation is not always bad; at least sometimes, most people want solitude. Being alone can be relaxing, meditating, and rejuvenating. Social isolation generally refers to the loneliness that is unwanted and extremely unhealthy.
Socially isolated people may lack friends or close associates and frequently feel alone or depressed. They may suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety. The following conditions associated with isolation are early signs of poor social isolation:
- Minimizing social interactions, including those that were once enjoyable
- Frequent cancellation of plans and feeling relief as plans are canceled.
- Feel anxiety or panic when thinking about social interactions
- Feeling distressed during periods of isolation.
- Also, feeling afraid of social events.
- Spend large amounts of time alone or in very limited contact with others
Social isolation may involve emotional isolation. This is a lack of willingness or an inability to share one’s feelings with others. When socially isolated people lack emotional interaction, they can become emotionally numb. So, they become detached from their own emotions.
Isolation and Loneliness
Experts research the causes and impacts of isolation. They differentiate between social isolation and loneliness.
Social isolation is an objective lack of social relations or a lack of social communication. Loneliness is a subjective feeling of isolation. An individual may be socially isolated but may not feel lonely. An individual can also feel lonely when people surround them.
Nonetheless, isolation and loneliness are very closely related. Studies of the impacts of loneliness shed light on social isolation’s negative consequences.
What Causes Social Isolation?
Many factors can lead to people isolating themselves from others or opting for self-isolation:
Intimate partner violence. Individuals in abusive relationships avoid contact with people not to expose their situation.
Loss of loved ones. Isolating after losing friends or family members can be normal. It is especially among seniors who have lost many loved ones in their age group.
Mental health issues. Issues such as anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem are often the result of social isolation. But they may also cause it.
Remote location. Individuals living in remote areas due to work duties may suffer feelings of loneliness.
Physical impairment. Physical challenges that limit movement will affect the ability of an individual to socialize. Some people with physical disabilities feel ashamed of their condition or appearance. It makes them reluctant to interact socially. Hearing and visual deficiency can also create a sense of isolation.
Social media. Communication via social media helps certain people remain linked to others. But it can lead to loneliness if it is a substitute for meaningful and in-person conversations.
Unemployment. The guilt of losing a job or finding a new job will lead individuals to self-isolation.
Social isolation can also result from physical distancing measures, such as those required by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preventing Social Isolation
Strategies for addressing social isolation’s negative impacts vary depending on the severity of the related symptoms and consequences.
Self-Care Strategies For Physical Isolation
Self-care strategies are important for individuals coping with social isolation. This is true as the factors contributing to isolation present barriers to external resources.
For example, an outbreak of disease may limit access to health care in person. So, people living in remote areas do not have easy in-person access to mental health professionals.
Individuals can minimize the negative effects of isolation by taking steps to address the challenges presented by isolation:
Take part in relaxing activities. Exercise and stretching, reading, listening to music, etc., can help relieve depression.
Follow a routine. Regular routines promote a sense of purpose and normality.
Keep your habits healthy. Eating well, having an adequate sleep, and physical activity can improve mental health.
Stay connected. If conditions restrict in-person contact, phone calls, email, text, social media platforms, and video conferencing may be used to stay in touch.
Keeping in the loop may be particularly important for those isolated due to a dangerous threat. These include an outbreak of disease. Trying to get to know the facts about their risk can help people avoid feeling panicked.
Post-Lockdown Anxiety
Some people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown find that they are afraid to leave isolation. Anxiety or fear as a response to outside activities may arise from fear of infection. Change in your everyday life itself can also give rise to fear. Hence, leaving a relatively secure and stable home environment initiate uncertainties. It also disrupts many people’s routines into their “new normal.”
Therapeutic Treatment
Individuals suffering from the effects of social isolation should be aware of their symptoms. They should seek experts’ assistance if the symptoms persist or become serious.
Therapists help to explore the underlying issues of isolation or self-isolation. For example, isolation of a person may be a sign of depression or anxiety disorder.
The therapist identifies the underlying issues. Then, he can develop a treatment plan that helps people regain control of their social lives. So, treatments used to treat social isolation include the followings:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy. CBT is a talk therapy that helps people become more aware of negative or incorrect thoughts. These thoughts affect their behavior. CBT sessions can help individuals identify misconceptions and reshape negative thinking.
Exposure therapy. Exposure therapy programs help people break patterns of prevention and fear. During exposure therapy sessions, individuals are exposed to situations they avoid. So, they confront fear, process emotions, and manage anxiety.
When To Seek Professional Help
Individuals experiencing the following should consider consulting a medical specialist:
- Confused thinking
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Excessive feelings of anger or fear
- Extreme swings in emotion
- Inability to cope with daily problems.
- Major changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Numerous unexplained physical ailment
- Prolonged depression
- Social withdrawal
- Substance abuse
Circumstances sometimes limit in-person contact. Then, people can connect to a mental health professional by phone or video conferencing.
Some isolated people may find it difficult to ask for help. When others keep an eye out for those who may need assistance but are hesitant to speak, they can reduce the negative effects of isolation on the community.
The Bottom Line
The COVID-19 pandemic caused people to self-isolate to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, loneliness may have negative health consequences and may exacerbate anxiety.
Hence, socializing from a distance through online media can ease isolation and prevent complications.
Anyone experiencing changes in their health due to isolation should speak to a healthcare professional.
