there are 3 forms of loneliness

emotional loneliness - comes from a lack of close and intimate relationships from others. so, while u may have acquaintances and friends u somehow do not feel emotionally connected to anyone. u may have suffered the loss of a loved one and have been left with an emotional void.

social loneliness - occurs when one feels aimless and marginalised. it is a feeling that somehow u r not part of or belong to a family of Man. it is acutely painful, distressing feeling of social isolation. it is not enough that a person has one or two close relationships. one needs a bigger group of supportive friends to feel good.

existential lonliness - occurs when a person finds no meaning or purpose in life. he pr she may feel that he doesnt belong in the world. this often occurs with people who are lacking a spiritual dimension in their life; those who persist in seeking a meaning to life and find none.


Causes of loneliness

why are some of us lonelier than the others?? loneliness can be caused by different factors. they include rejection, separation, loss or tradegy; circumstances that r often beyong ur control. personal characteristics can also contribute to loneliness eg. poor social skills, low self esteem and feelings of insecurity. these are aspects of ur personality that may be innate or have shaped by ur life experience.

some of us r introverts. since young, we have always felt apart form others. whole other children play we just stand alone observing. the more we isolate ourselves the more others feel we prefer to be alone. it is a vicious cycle. we grow up increasingly isolated. we have difficulty initiating or holding a conversation. we avoid people. we hide in our rooms when there are visitors to the house. in school, we may not belong to any group. we have few friends. we feel utterly miserable. at work, we eat alone during lunch breaks.

but other could actually be quite ectroverted and yet feel lonely. we may be very active socially yet feel lonely. some of us can be the life and soulf of a party. other envy us for our energy, enthusiasm and social skills but do not know how that deep within, we are feeling the pangs of loneliness.

sometimes, loneliness is a symptom of a larger psychological problem-depression


pathological Loneliness
'no man is an island, entire of himself; every man is a piece of the continent.
John Donne

is loneliness a state of being? yes if it is occasional. it is perfectly normal to feel lonely every now and then. but too much loneliness is pathological. when does loneliness become pathological?? when it turns into the focal point of our life, when it affects our reactions and perceptions, and causes distress and affects our social functioning.

anxiety and depression can often accompany pathological loneliness. u feel unwanted, rejected. u may even feel ngry and bitter towards the world. this is an agonising sense of worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness. in the extreme form it can lead to suicidal thoughts and even suicide attempts.

thankyou for listening in
love, calin