Social isolation

At some point in our lives, we have all felt the need to be alone. and we distance ourselves a little from those around us. This is something totally normal. However, when this isolation is indefinite and the person stops maintaining any kind of relationship with the rest of their environment, the situation must be looked at carefully. We are facing a problem of social isolation.

Social isolation, also known as “social withdrawal,” occurs when a person completely distances themselves from their environment involuntarily. although the opposite may be thought. This condition occurs in people of all ages. It may be a consequence of traumatic events in your history, such as being a victim of bullying, or as part of a medical condition, such as depression.

Causes of social isolation

Although different studies have been carried out to identify the specific causes of social isolation, the reality is that these are very diverse and depend on each particular situation. In some cases It may be because the person has experienced abnormal conditions in their childhood.such as having been a victim of bullying.

It may also be that they were under extreme overprotection that prevented them from interacting normally with other people their age. Generating, in this way, a lack of security and knowledge to establish new relationships as an adult.

Another case occurs when the person has some type of medical condition that complicates or makes it impossible for them to go out. In this situation, it is possible to find people who, after a medical accident, completely separate themselves from the rest of the people.

It is also possible to find this condition in people who do not suffer from an extreme medical condition. However, they face medical conditions that alienate them or generate stereotypes, such as some mental disorders.

Consequences of social isolation

Those who live under this condition usually face various situations and problems, the most common and most serious being depression. Various studies that have been carried out indicate that people who experience social isolation often have problems with learning, attention and decision making.

This is because When we do not interact with our environment, our brain does not receive the appropriate stimuli and it doesn’t work properly. For this reason, people who live in social isolation may seem a little clumsy or slow when making decisions.

Likewise, it has been documented that social isolation can generate effects on physical health, derived both from possible somatization of feelings of loneliness, and from the lack of care and attention when a mild illness occurs.

What do I do if I live in social isolation?

If you have already realized that you live under this condition and you really want to get out of it, the first thing you should do is look for the social circles in which you feel comfortable and start visiting them. For example, if you like dogs and have one, you can take them for a walk in the park.

This way, you will begin to socialize with other dog owners. To get out of social isolation, it is essential that you open yourself to new experiences, that you learn to leave your comfort zone and that you put yourself in new situations. Look into yourself and look for new experiences that “force” you to leave the house and interact with other people. The first steps may be the most difficult, but little by little you will notice more ease.

Getting started can be complicated

You may not feel like it at first and it may be very difficult for you. However, you will realize how good it feels to leave that zone in which you feel so comfortable, even if in reality it is not entirely like that. Well, depression and low self-esteem make you feel bad. Without realizing it, you will be leaving a vicious circle that you have been entering almost without realizing it. Although sometimes you will want to be alone, but you will begin to value company and like to go out from time to time.

Actually, isolation camouflages or is the justification for a much deeper motive. Discovering it and facing it will be important in order to enjoy life and be happy. We all have the need to interact with others. Analyze yourself and investigate within yourself. Look for what is hidden behind the isolation: shyness? unsafety? Fear of ridicule? All of this is in our minds and, in reality, it does not exist. They are thoughts created from experiences, but it means that they are real, we just have believed them.

So, it’s time to go out there to interact, to take on the world and leave social isolation aside. Because it is one thing to want to be alone to disconnect and dive into ourselves and another, very different, to not be able to relate to anyone. It is in this last case that we must make an effort and begin to get up and walk, slowly, but without pause. Go ahead, don’t be afraid!

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