The news has been a little more positive lately. As of this writing, the U.S. is administering 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses per day. Headlines about the virus are starting to read more hopeful than dire, and people can finally start imagining a post-pandemic world.
Promising as this sounds–and it certainly is–we know there’s been an increase in mental health problems during the last year and that social isolation has been a culprit. Social distancing has limited our ability to gather in person, and even when we do, due to health concerns and anxieties, visits tend to be shorter.
But just like mental and behavioral health disorders, social isolation is a problem that predates the pandemic. Over a year before Coronavirus, Pew Research Center conducted a survey finding that 1 in 10 Americans feel lonely or isolated the majority of the time.
COVID has obviously fed the beast, but social isolation will likely continue after normal life resumes, and it’s important that we understand how it impacts our mental health.
Defining Social Isolation
Social isolation is solitude that is unwanted and unhealthy, and individuals who are socially isolated often don’t have friends or close coworkers. It’s no surprise then that they feel lonely, depressed, anxious or emotionally numb.
Here are the symptoms to look for:
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
- Avoidance of social interactions, including those that were once enjoyable
- Feelings of distress or panic when thinking about social interactions
- Cancelling plans and feeling relieved when plans are canceled.
- Cognitive decline
- Aggression or passivity
What Causes It?
Beyond the restrictions of the pandemic, there are several causes of social isolation. A prominent one is mental health problems. People suffering from depression and anxiety, for example, are more likely to be stuck in isolation. As we’ve previously written, mental illnesses can make everyday life excruciating, and therefore, people become more avoidant. While they may be attempting to forge ahead, individuals not being treated properly can easily slip deeper into social isolation.
In addition, there are circumstantial reasons, including domestic violence, loss of a loved one, physical disabilities, unhealthy social media usage, and unemployment.
The Health Consequences
Unfortunately, the extreme loneliness of social isolation can have serious health consequences. Mental illness and its exacerbation from social isolation can lead to increased rates of suicide, and there’s also a connection to poor cardiovascular health and cognitive function.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention view social isolation as a serious public health risk: “Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States and putting them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions.”
Treating Social Isolation
We mentioned that social isolation has preceded the pandemic, and fortunately so have treatments. While the mental health symptoms are painful, behavioral health practitioners have established proven treatments. At Chicago Mind Solutions, we treat these symptoms, including Depression and Anxiety, among others, with neurofeedback therapy and psychotherapy, empowering individuals to improve their social lives.
For more information about our treatments and teletherapy options, please contact us at (224) 723-5050 or email info@chicagomindsolutions.com.
