5 Signs You're Suffering From Chronic Loneliness

Loneliness – Yes, your feelings are real. Are you chronically lonely?

Chronic loneliness is the pervasive sense of isolation that some people feel even if they are surrounded by people and seem otherwise happy. People with chronic loneliness are desperate for connection, but feel like they seldom, if ever, find it. Chronic loneliness is a side effect of my own Depression that it took me years to get a handle on completely. I still struggle sometimes. If you think you might have chronic loneliness, here are some signs to look for.

1.You Feel Symptoms Of Depression Coming On

Loneliness and social isolation have a strong scientific relationship with the development of mood disorders, particularly depression. Studies have found that loneliness and depression tend to be pretty coexistent, and that loneliness is what's called "a major precipitant" of depression: in other words, it's one of the classic signs that indicates depression might soon swoop down on your head like a large, unwanted bat.

2. Οften in bed, but not sleeping

Studies suggest that lonely people spend a lot more time in bed, but a lot less time sleeping. Chronic loneliness can cause insomnia because you need to feel secure in your social environment in order to sleep well. Also, the effects of loneliness can make you feel like you need to get in bed, even if you aren’t tired.

3. You crave real connection, but it takes a LOT of time for you to recharge your social batteries. 

For all of your hunger for true connection, it takes a lot of your energy, just like it would an introvert.

You can spend days in your home recharging and getting me time and just one party is enough to leave you feeling depleted again.

4. You Take Long, Hot Showers

"The lonelier a person is, the more showers and baths they take, the hotter the water, and the longer they stay under the water," said psychologist John Bargh, PhD, a researcher at Yale University who studied physical warmth and social connection. For his research, Bargh surveyed 51 college students about their levels of loneliness and everyday habits, concluding that some people use physical warmth as a substitute for social warmth (the students who reported feeling lonelier also tended to linger in the shower longer).

5. You’re a Facebook power user. 

A University of Michigan study found that we’re more likely to use Facebook when we’re feeling lonely. Although Facebook doesn’t necessarily make us feel lonelier, watching people’s lives go by on our newsfeeds can lead to feelings of unhappiness. So instead of logging into Facebook next time you’re feeling lonely, try face-to-face interaction and/or make a phone call to someone you love.

Sources:
https://www.bustle.com/articles/134101-7-subtle-signs-youre-lonely-according-to-science
http://didyouknowfacts.com/6-warning-signs-youre-suffering-loneliness-heres-beat/2/
http://www.yourtango.com/2016298174/what-is-chronic-loneliness-and-do-you-have-it
http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/are-you-lonelier-than-you-realize.aspx#03
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sneaky-signs-youre-lonely_us_55aea2b0e4b0a9b94852c3ef