Humans are social beings. Connecting with others isn’t just a want—it’s a need. It’s an essential, a necessity, a basic human requirement. Connection can be just as important to a person as food, water, and shelter.
Despite the importance of connection with others, many individuals experience periods of social isolation in today’s world. This social isolation could be caused by aging, disability, mental health struggles, grief, or working remotely.
Being alone isn’t inherently harmful, but long-term social isolation can significantly impact a person’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Understanding the effects of social isolation can help us realize how important connecting with others truly is.
Mental Health Challenges
One of the most well-known and immediate effects of social isolation is the impact it has on one’s mental health. Individuals who are socially isolated are more likely to experience the following mental health struggles:
- Anxiety
- Cognitive decline
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Increased stress levels
- Irritability
Physical Health Risks
The effects that social isolation has on a person extend far beyond mental health. Social isolation can lead to an increased risk of some serious and chronic health issues, such as the following:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation in the body
- Sleeping problems
- Weakened immune system
Behavioral Changes
Social isolation can cause a shift in a person’s behavior. Unfortunately, these shifts can lead to worsening symptoms. These are some of the most common behavioral changes:
- Avoidance of others
- Reduced motivation to care for oneself
- Substance use
- Unhealthy coping strategies
Emotional Effects
Social isolation and loneliness are not the same thing. A person can experience feelings of loneliness even when they’re surrounded by others. On the other hand, a person who is alone may not experience feeling lonely at all. But social isolation and loneliness often go hand in hand.
Prolonged loneliness can lead to a deeper sense of emotional detachment, feeling disconnected from others, and not feeling meaningful or purposeful. Loneliness can also worsen the effects of often unavoidable negative experiences, such as grief, trauma, or chronic illness.
Altered Brain Function and Cognitive Abilities
Social interactions help keep the brain active. This is important for people of all ages, but especially for older adults. Isolation can lead to memory loss, slower cognitive processing, and an increased risk of dementia. Being able to engage in conversations, taking part in activities with others, and even casual social exchanges can help a person maintain their cognitive function over time.
Damaged Sense of Self
Social interaction can play a major role in our own sense of self. How we relate to others helps us form our relationship with ourselves. Through conversations, shared life experiences, and a sense of community, we can develop and reinforce our own identities.
When socially isolated, we can start to question our value or lose our sense of purpose. This feeling of a lack of belonging can lead to increased feelings of self-doubt and alienation.
Learning to Reconnect
Social isolation is more than just being alone. It’s a much larger issue that comes with serious consequences. Social isolation can impact how a person thinks, feels, and functions—it can even impact how long we live.
The good news is that connection is a powerful tool that we can use to heal and grow. Reconnecting with a friend, joining a support group, dialing a family member, checking in on a neighbor, or starting relationship counseling can be positive and meaningful steps toward reconnecting.
We all need to feel seen, understood, and connected. Getting started is the hardest part. Don’t hesitate to get in touch to learn more about how therapy can benefit you and help you connect with others, including yourself.
