Have you felt lonely for too long? It can drive you to drugs | Health

Loneliness can arise at some point in everyone’s life. Feeling like you have no one to talk to or feel misunderstood can consume our thoughts and make us feel worse. However, if this feeling persists over a long period of time, it can affect us physically in more ways than we can imagine. Also read | Winter loneliness may be more self-centered than you think; This will help you become more active in the cold season

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Head of Neurology at Fortis Hospital: “When we are lonely, our brain is constantly on alert. We find ourselves in a state of physical threat that affects our thinking and perception. Loneliness has been linked to a variety of negative mental health impacts. It could be a reaction to a psychological problem (e.g. social withdrawal is a typical symptom of depression) or it could be the trigger that causes the psychological disorder.”

Depression:

“Loneliness is strongly linked to depression. If you have felt socially isolated or lonely, negative self-confidence and suicidal thoughts may increase, while life satisfaction often decreases. Self-isolation is a typical sign of depressive episodes,” explained Dr. Praveen Gupta. Also read | Loneliness is not “just a first world problem”: Why and how widespread is loneliness?

Fear:

Humans are designed to be social creatures and to have someone at their side. Taking away their sense of companionship can affect them in many ways. “Anxiety is another common symptom and chronic loneliness can add to or worsen pre-existing social anxiety as socializing takes practice. A good support system is a protective factor against anxiety. “So if you don’t have one, your overall anxiety levels may increase and you may have problems with emotion control,” said Dr. Praveen Gupta.

Drug abuse:

“People who are chronically lonely or alone are more likely to turn to alcohol or other substances to relieve their suffering. Loneliness is identified as a risk factor in all stages of alcoholism. It may also have indirect effects on drug use due to increased stress,” the neurologist added. Also read | Loneliness increases nightmares? Study finds a surprising connection

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about a medical condition, always seek advice from your doctor.