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Types of loneliness
We distinguish between different types of loneliness. If you experience loneliness, you may feel disconnected from your surroundings. Or you may miss an emotional connection with your partner. Recognize the different types.
What types of loneliness are there?
There are several categories of loneliness, each with slightly different nuances. The three most common types are emotional, social, and existential loneliness.
What is emotional loneliness?
In emotional loneliness, you experience feelings of sadness and emptiness because you miss an emotional connection with loved ones. It means that you cannot share your story with your partner, friends, or colleagues. It is difficult to be yourself when you are around them, so even with others nearby you may still feel lonely. Other reasons may include:
- The absence of a partner or a very close friend.
- The loss of a strong connection with someone closest to you — for example, due to a breach of trust in the relationship or the death of a loved one. The absence of a meaningful bond can also last for a long time.
An emotional connection with another person arises when you share personal and intimate moments and thoughts. Without this connection, you may experience emotional loneliness even if you have a large group of friends.
What is social loneliness?
In social loneliness, you miss a social bond with people you identify with. You do not feel comfortable. You feel like you lack friends, that they are not available, or you experience yourself as different from most others. You may feel the urge to withdraw socially, reducing your contact with others.
You can have an intimate, emotional bond with your partner and still experience social loneliness. If you have no one to meet up with to do something enjoyable, this can reinforce the feeling of not belonging.
What is existential loneliness?
Existential loneliness is about meaning. You feel lost, you miss a sense of purpose, and you are not sure why your life matters. In existential loneliness, you experience a lack of grounding and search for the meaning of life or your role within it. You feel lonely in the realization of these big themes.
You may have an intense emotional bond with a partner or close friend, a pleasant social network of friends, and still feel alone in the world.
More information
Do you recognize yourself in one or more forms of loneliness? Living with loneliness for a long time can have consequences. Learn to cope with loneliness by making possible changes in your social life and in your behaviour.
Related symptoms
Loneliness in relationships
You are in a relationship, yet you sometimes feel lonely even though you are not physically alone. For example, you may feel misunderstood by your partner, or you may feel that your partner does not give you enough attention. Feelings of loneliness occur more often than you might think and are normal. But prolonged loneliness can affect your mental wellbeing. If you feel alone in your relationship for a long time, it is important to do something about it. After reading this article, you will understand how loneliness in a relationship arises and have tools to help you feel less lonely.
Dealing with loneliness
There are certain practical steps you can take if you’re trying to tackle loneliness. You can manage your feelings in different ways so that they have less of a negative impact on your daily life.
For example, it might help to talk to someone about it or make a list of all the people you could call for a chat. If you start small, you’ll be able to figure out what’s working for you in your battle against loneliness.
Causes and Effects of loneliness
Loneliness has serious consequences. If you experience feelings of loneliness for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to both mental and physical health issues. You’ll start to feel like you’re withdrawing from regular society. It’s important to act quickly in order to avoid any unnecessary long-term problems.