subject: When Depression And Loneliness Come Together [print this page] Depression, loneliness, isolation, and depersonalization...these are all common concerns plaguing people nowadays, and the results can be pretty devastating. Depression and loneliness in particular occur quite frequently, and you would have to be made of pretty stern stuff in order not to be affected by them at all from time to time.
When they occur individually, depression and loneliness can be quite difficult to deal with. When the two conditions occur at the same time or one after the other, the effects on a person can be especially distressing. The thing about depression and loneliness is that they often feed off each other's energies, eventually strengthening each other and worsening their combined effects. A person who is depressed is only a few steps away from becoming lonely, and a lonely person often has to contend with depressing thoughts creeping into his life. It is a vicious cycle to be sure, and the constant strain of having to deal with the depression-loneliness cycle can be more difficult than anyone can bear.
Loneliness itself can be triggered by many factors. The loss of a loved one is a common reason why people fall into the pit of loneliness, and considerable time may pass before the person is able to get out of it. What makes it all so much worse is that loneliness brings with it a number of fears and doubts that wouldn't normally be a problem if the person weren't isolated from friends and family. With long hours alone however, there is plenty of free time to give reign to these fears. This is why so many people who are in the midst of the-depression-loneliness cycle find it so hard to get out.
While you might think that dealing with loneliness, depression, and many other negative emotions can be done easily simply by increasing social contact, it isn't always that easy. Many people who are suffering from depression and loneliness have likely been in that situation for many years, and old habits can be hard to break. While the conscious mind is fully cognizant of the fact that social contact may be the one thing that can lift the veil of depression and loneliness, the person suffering from it may be unable to do anything about it. Extreme case of depression can bring about a sort of social paralysis, rendering the person incapable of handling even the most trivial social scenarios.
In cases wherein the depression and loneliness cannot be dispelled via traditional means such as increasing social contact and talking with friends and family, it may be necessary to seek professional counseling. There are many psychologists and behavioral consultants who will work closely with you in helping you find a solution to your problem. While many people would be embarrassed at having to rely on therapy for relief, there certainly isn't anything wrong with trying to get help for your problem. Keep in mind that pressure and too much expectations of yourself may have contributed to the development of your condition in the first place, so let your guard down a bit and get the help you need.
