How loneliness and depression are related?

Friends and spending time in activities with others aren’t just fun; they’re important parts of wellness. Human beings are designed for connection, according to popular vulnerability researcher Brene Brown. Not getting enough interaction with others can lead to negative impacts on health.

When we’re lonely over a long period of time, it can contribute to existing or developing mental health issues like depression. Loneliness is a feeling instead of a mood or mental health condition, so it should be a temporary feeling like other feelings. The feeling of loneliness should dissipate when you meet your needs for connection and belonging.

Depression is an ongoing issue, and it isn’t relieved by just developing relationships or spending time with people. Depression can impact your desire to spend time with others. Social isolation is a part of depression for many people. It can be hard to separate these two issues from one another. Feelings of loneliness may impact depression or may develop as a part of depression symptoms when depression is left untreated.

Addressing feelings of loneliness can help determine if you’re feeling lonely, and this is the main issue, or it can help you determine if more may be going on. It may seem simple to address loneliness – go out and make friends. It can be more involved than that.

It’s important to note that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It’s possible to feel lonely even in a crowd. If you have relationships with others and still feel lonely, consider the quality of the interactions with those people and the quality of the relationships. Cultivating meaningful connections within your existing relationships can have a positive effect. We tend to put on the TV and exist next to people sometimes. Try:

• Calling or visiting someone instead of sending a text.
• Share with someone about events or topics that are important to you.
• Find an activity to share with someone.
• Put some effort into relationships – take the neighbor’s dumpster down to the curb, cook dinner for a friend who is struggling with something.

Spend time in activities that you enjoy and pay attention to your thoughts and how they may be affecting your relationships or willingness to connect with others. If you find yourself thinking, “No one wants to talk to me,” when a friend doesn’t answer a call from you, try to examine that thought, look for alternative explanations, and reach out to someone else.

Depression is a serious mental health condition, but loneliness can impact depression and other areas of life. If you notice feelings of hopelessness, have difficulty functioning, or feelings don’t change after you connect with others, talk with a mental health professional or your doctor.