A great deal of research came about regarding isolation and mental health following the COVID-19 pandemic. It has revealed that there is a strong relationship in both directions, and socialization is a critical part of good mental health.
When individuals struggle with mental health disorders like depression or anxiety, they are more likely to isolate themselves from others. When people struggle with addiction or are in recovery, they are more likely to struggle with isolation as they transition into a new stage in life.
In any situation, that isolation can have detrimental impacts, and it is essential to overall well being that people learn to build support networks and actively avoid isolation.
What is Isolation?
Isolation is when an individual is kept apart from others. Social isolation is when an individual is physically separated from others and subject to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. This type of social isolation and mental health have a strong correlation, such that isolation can induce negative emotions like sadness and anger. Isolation can also decrease the satisfaction people feel with basic needs like self-esteem. Moreover, isolation is associated with poor cognition while aging.
The longer individuals struggle with isolation, the more likely they are to develop:
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Early mortality
Social Isolation and Mental Health
Studies have concluded that social isolation plays a significant role in mental and physical health. Isolation has a direct increase in poor mental and physical health, just as social support and support networks have a protective influence on mental and physical health.
- Anxiety and depression levels are significantly higher among those who are isolated.
- Those who are isolated because of jobs, addiction, or mental health are more likely to struggle with psychological distress
- Isolation can lead to insomnia
- People with isolation are more likely to struggle with low self-esteem and low self-control
- Those who are isolated struggle with stigmatization
This detrimental effect can be reduced with online socialization, but the effects are even stronger for in-person socialization.
Those who are dealing with isolation have higher levels of stress, with perceived social exclusion or neglect that can further exacerbate self-induced isolation and poor mental health. The longer individuals go with isolation, the more likely they are to develop things acute stress disorder, anxiety and depressive disorders, and exhaustion. Increased isolation leads to feelings of detachment and social exclusion, which causes individuals to isolate further.
Many people who struggle with isolation report:
- Feeling guilty
- Low self-esteem
- Boredom
- Feeling like they have no control
- Fear
- Mood problems
- Loneliness
- Anger
Over the course of several years, this increases irritability and insomnia, leads to exhaustion and poor concentration, and contributes to deterioration in terms of work or school performance and relationships. It increases the risk of continued avoidance behaviors, PTSD-related symptoms, and substance abuse.
Overcoming Isolation and Mental Health
At Multi Concept Recovery, we provide partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and traditional outpatient rehab programs for those struggling with isolation and mental health. We specialize in several mental health treatment programs for mental health disorders such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Bipolar Disorder
- OCD
At Multi Concept Recovery, we work hard to provide clients with the tools they need to manage symptoms of a mental health disorder or addiction. Those tools include building a social support network, participating in group therapy, and building a new life of purpose.
For those who are, for whatever reason, struggling with isolation and mental health problems, our outpatient programs have flexible schedules and payment programs that make it easy to get treatment now.
Overall, there is a strong relationship between isolation and mental health. Individuals with a lot of isolation are more likely to develop poor mental and physical health, whereas those with strong social connections are likely to have good mental and physical health. If you or someone close to you is struggling with isolation and mental health problems, contact our team to see how our mental health programs can help.
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