There may be days when you feel like nothing is better than staying home, turning off your phone, and avoiding people. Other people are likely to cause many of your negative thoughts and influence your stress. While taking a break from people every now and then is a good thing, isolation is different.
What Is Isolation in Mental Health?
Social Isolation, the absence of interactions with other people, is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Being alone isn’t bad. Isolation, on the other hand, is unhealthy when it is prolonged. It can create highly negative effects on your mental health.
Social isolation could be defined as lacking relationships, contact with, or support from other people. It can stimulate intense feelings of loneliness and being disconnected from the world around you.
The Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness
People who are socially isolated are not “fine.” Even though a person may do their job and meet your responsibilities, they are not “fine to be alone.” According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person who is socially isolated is at a high risk of developing serious mental and physical health problems. The agency also reports that 1 in 3 adults in the US feels lonely, and 1 in 4 people state they do not have social or emotional support.
The physical health impact of social isolation can include:
- Type 2 diabetes development
- Onset of heart disease and strokes
- Dementia
- Earlier death
Consider the effects of social isolation on your mental health:
- Onset of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Higher risk of suicidal thoughts
- Higher stress levels, which can lead to reckless behavior and the onset of drug or alcohol addiction
- Inability to make decisions or navigate complex problems with confidence
- Increased risk of cognitive decline
Because of how impactful isolation can be, it is critical to address it both as a stand-alone component of mental and physical health as well as a symptom of additional health complications.
What Causes Social Isolation?
To find treatment, you have to understand the underlying cause of social isolation. A variety of factors can contribute to the onset of social isolation, including:
- Domestic partner violence, leading to avoidance of being around others
- Underlying mental health concerns, such as low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety
- Remote locations that put you far away from the people you are most comfortable with
- Loss of a loved one, especially a very close family member or friend
- Physical impairment, such as a loss of mobility, that impacts your ability to do the things you love to do
- Social media use
- Unemployment
Sometimes, it can be hard to understand why you’re so isolated. You may even feel embarrassed by your isolation and loneliness.
How to Combat Social Isolation
Treatment for social isolation is deeper than just going out to be with people. It becomes critical for you to explore therapy with a professional who can help you navigate the various tools and resources available to you.
Therapeutic treatment typically involves:
- The use of cognitive behavioral therapy as a way of learning to become more aware of your negative thoughts as they are occurring
- Exposure therapy, to help you break through patterns of fear or avoidance that could be hampering your recovery process
Group therapy can also be a valuable component of this treatment process. It enables you to build relationships and learn from others.
Focus on These Self-Care Strategies
A big part of working towards recovery is adopting self-care strategies. These strategies allow you to ease back into social situations without putting so much pressure on yourself that you run the other way. Consider the following things you can do right now:
- Create a routine for your day. The routine should have a purpose. It can help you achieve a level of normalcy that your brain may crave.
- Stay connected, including with friends and family. While digital communication is helpful, you also need those in-person moments.
- Find activities that are relaxing and engaging. You could listen to music, invest in meditation for mental health, journal, or embrace education.
Know when you need help, too. Seek a mental health assessment to determine what’s happening with your current health and mental well-being.
Come In to See Our Team for Guidance
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, you become our priority. Learn more about the strategies we offer that can help you recover and improve your mental health. Contact us now.
