Avoiding social contact is a common pattern you might notice when falling into depression. Some people skip activities they normally enjoy and isolate themselves from the world. Others turn to alcohol or junk food to mask their pain and unhappiness.
Social Isolation and Mental Illness
Not only is social isolation a telltale sign of depression, but it can also fuel feelings of loneliness and become problematic. It's not uncommon for people with depression or people going through a major depressive episode to fall into this trap.
This kind of social withdrawal is often a symptom of underlying mental health issues. For example, you might struggle with social anxiety. When a friend invites you to a party or get-together at their house, you're worried about meeting new people. You might not know anyone else other than your friend.
Schizoid personality disorder
These people enjoy solitary activity and living away from social relationship. And these people are more interested in subjective inner mental world rather than objective outside world, avoid social activity, and do not reveal their emotion.
While levels of social contact can vary over time, extended periods of social isolation can harm mental and physical well-being. People are social creatures, and lacking support and contact with others can contribute to loneliness, cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.
Depression often leads people to isolate themselves, often due to the multiple factors that are contributing to their depression—feeling lonely, feelings of rejection, poor self-worth, rejection, self-doubt, loss, etc …
"Lacking encouragement from family or friends, those who are lonely may slide into unhealthy habits," Valtorta says. "In addition, loneliness has been found to raise levels of stress, impede sleep and, in turn, harm the body. Loneliness can also augment depression or anxiety."
What Causes Social Isolation? Many circumstances can cause people to be isolated from others or to choose self-isolation: Intimate partner violence. People in abusive relationships sometimes avoid contact with family, friends, or coworkers because of an unwillingness to reveal their true situation.
Poor social skills often lead to stress and loneliness, which can negatively affect physical as well as mental health.
Social Isolation is distinct from trauma and refers to a specific set of circumstances that create adverse psychological effects. Social isolation differs from chronic loneliness or depression, though some of the symptoms and signs can be similar.
Research has shown that chronic social isolation increases the risk of mental health issues like depression, anxiety and substance abuse, as well as chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. It also raises the risk of dementia in older adults.
Make time to practice self-care and do things that give you a sense of purpose outside of work. Become involved with social activities, like a book club or sports team. Plan ahead when you're going to spend time with friends and family members so that you have something to look forward to.
Recovery from isolation takes time. There are strong, deeply held forces pulling toward isolation when you feel the feelings (anxiety, rage, fear, grief, etc.) that seemed intolerable as a child.
A person who is socially withdrawn removes themselves from encounters and interactions with others. There are many reasons why people may choose not to connect with others, including anxiety, fear, shame, vulnerability, potential rejection, and more. It can be a reflection of an underlying mental health condition.
Tell your friend or family member that you're concerned and that you want to help and listen. Just having someone express that they care and are worried is powerful. Understand and make clear that you aren't there to fix your friend or tell them what to do. Check in, listen, and be compassionate, not judgmental.
When someone feels lonely they are more likely to try to distract themselves with the other things in their lives. So if your colleague is always talking about their stamp collection, or always flying away on exotic solo city breaks rather than spending weekends at home, they might be feeling alone.
Colloquially, the terms 'asocial' and 'antisocial' get used interchangeably, to describe someone who isn't motivated by social interaction.
When people feel so self-conscious and anxious that it prevents them from speaking up or socializing most of the time, it's probably more than shyness. It may be a mental health problem known as social anxiety (also called social phobia).
It's okay to be less-social than other people
Others have a lower drive to socialize, which can show in a variety of ways: They like to spend a lot of time alone. They're solitary by choice, not because they want to be around people more often, but can't. They have solo hobbies they enjoy more than being with people.
Loneliness and social isolation are often correlated, but they are not one and the same. Loneliness is a subjective feeling. Social isolation is an objective condition. Research suggests that social isolation is a greater risk factor for health than loneliness.
Social isolation can affect nearly every aspect of your mental health. Studies show that feelings of isolation can be linked to: Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Less restful sleep.
Jessica Harrison, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Courageous Counseling and Consulting, says a lack of long-term friendships is a major red flag. "It shows that they have not been committed to growing in relationships, which takes time and effort on both friends' part," says Harrison.
Not being able to make friends can make you feel lonely and isolated, and take a toll on your mental health. It's important to know that you're not alone—many people feel like they don't have friends. Making friends requires you to put yourself out there and reach out to people.
If you find yourself spending more and more time alone because you believe others don't understand you or that you will struggle to connect, you may be experiencing one of the more subtle symptoms of trauma.