Throughout Loneliness , Cacioppo stresses that loneliness is not a mental disorder . At the same time, however, chronic loneliness can put you at risk for depression , and social anxiety can make it harder to connect with people in the first place.

Therefore, I encourage y...

To start, when we talk about the “pain” of loneliness, that’s more than just a metaphor. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have observed that the experience of social rejection activates the same region of the brain that “registers emotional responses to physical pain...

Once you’ve resolved to become more connected with others, Cacioppo recommends finding opportunities “to get small doses of the positive sensations that come from positive social interactions”.

Each positive interaction you have gives you further evidence that you can connect with others. T...

1. Intimate connectedness: This is connection “up close and personal,” typically with a significant other.
2. Relational connectedness : This is the broader (but still close) connection you have with friends and family.
3. Collective connectedness –This type of connection describes be...

Given that it shares the same root word as “alone,” it’s easy to assume loneliness is just the absence of contact with other people.

As Cacioppo explains in his book (Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection by John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick). loneliness is not mere...

1. Don’t Blame Your Social Skills

When you’re feeling lonely, it’s easy to blame it on your lack of social skills. In general, though, a lack of social skills isn’t the issue. Rather, it’s that “feeling lonely makes us less likely to employ the skills we have” .

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