The Loneliness Epidemic

If you’re feeling isolated, you’re not alone.

Written by Lauryn Lu, Edited by Alexandra Lawlor

The Loneliness Epidemic

In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a statement about a new epidemic: loneliness and social isolation. When people think about epidemics, infectious illnesses often come to mind. However, the public health crisis of loneliness existed before COVID-19; even before the onset of the pandemic, around half of U.S. adults reported experiencing substantial loneliness. In his advisory, Dr. Murthy brings awareness to the fact that loneliness does not just affect people’s emotional well-being. It can impact physical health too, and has been associated with increased risks of several conditions including heart disease, stroke, and dementia. This statement has called attention to the real, measurable harms of loneliness, and gives us all an important takeaway: if you’re feeling disconnected or isolated, you’re not alone.

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is a state of mind in which you may feel disconnected from others, or lack a sense of belonging. Loneliness can also be accompanied by negative changes in your concentration, sleep quality, appetite, or energy levels. It is common to experience loneliness at some time or another, and these feelings may come and go at different times in your life depending on your circumstances. 

What causes loneliness?

Loneliness is caused by a mismatch between what you want or expect from a relationship and your actual experience of that relationship. Loneliness is not simply the absence of physical company, as you might sometimes choose to spend time alone but feel content and fulfilled in this solitude. Conversely, sometimes you might feel lonely or disconnected while spending time with a certain person or group of people.

What is the difference between loneliness and depression (major depressive disorder)?

Depression, or MDD, is a psychiatric disorder that is diagnosed by a clinician and consists of a specific set of symptoms over an extended period of time. Loneliness, on the other hand, is a transient emotional state. Although prolonged feelings of dissatisfaction and loneliness can be factors in developing MDD, people with MDD may or may not experience loneliness, just as people without any psychiatric condition may experience loneliness from time to time.

Next steps:

First, remember that it is normal to feel lonely from time to time and that loneliness is often a temporary and reversible state of mind. If you’re feeling lonely, try to find ways to meaningfully connect with yourself or others. This could look like journaling about your feelings, doing an activity that brings you joy, or calling a family member or friend.

If it’s difficult or not feasible to reach out to certain people in your life, you can also find a sense of connection and belonging by volunteering with others in your community or joining a new group or class for an activity you want to try. If you don’t feel like you have the energy to talk but want to phone a loved one to connect, try asking for them to share about what’s going on in their life; sometimes listening is just as impactful as sharing.

How to help a friend who seems lonely:

If you notice your friend seems lonely, a good place to start is to check in with them. You can ask how they’ve been doing, and offer them the space to share their feelings. If they don’t seem to want to talk about it, simply sending an “I’m thinking of you” text or jumping straight to an invitation can help them feel less alone. Thinking of a plan too exhausting? Here are some ideas:

• Cooking a meal or baking together

• Try that new restaurant that just opened or get takeout from a spot you both love

• Too busy for a full meal? Try meeting for a coffee break or happy hour

• Go to a free museum near you

• Visit a public park for a walk

• See a movie (most places offer student discounts!)

• If your friend lives far from you, try scheduling a time to catch up or eat dinner with one another over the phone or on a video call

Even if your friend doesn’t take you up on your offer, just showing them that you’re there for them can go a long way.

Here’s WHAT PEOPLE experiencing lonELIness HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU:

Published: February 12, 2024.

Written by Lauryn Lu (Medical Student), Edited by Alexandra Lawlor (Medical Student).

References: 

1. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). New Surgeon General Advisory raises alarm about the devastating impact of the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the United States. HHS.gov. May 3, 2023. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html.

2. Feeling lonely. NHS choices. December 2, 2022. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/feeling-lonely/.

3. Loneliness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 26, 2023. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/howrightnow/emotion/loneliness/index.html.

4. Carlton K. What is loneliness? UChicago Medicine. February 13, 2019. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/health-and-wellness-articles/what-is-loneliness.

5. Caring for someone who’s lonely. Age UK. June 8, 2023. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/caring-for-someone-whos-lonely/.

6. Collier S. How can you help a loved one suffering from loneliness? Harvard Health. September 4, 2020. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-can-you-help-a-loved-one-suffering-from-loneliness-2020090420855.