Is Loneliness Affecting You? Key Signs To Watch Out For

Loneliness is a human emotion that everyone experiences at some point. When loneliness becomes so overwhelming that it disrupts your life, social interactions, work, or ability to function, it becomes essential to explore its underlying causes. Excessive loneliness can escalate into more severe issues like anxiety and depression. Understanding the reasons behind it is crucial. Therapist Klara Kernig explains that feeling lonely during childhood doesn’t necessarily mean being physically isolated. More often, it’s about the absence of emotional connections, even when you are around others.

She shared a list of indications that imply a deep loneliness caused by not being understood or loved for who you truly are:

• First, you might constantly worry that you’re ‘too much,’ ‘overreacting’ or ‘too sensitive.’ This might stop you from expressing what you feel and eventually lead you to be distant from others.
• Second, you find yourself abandoning your own beliefs, feelings and needs just to maintain a connection with others. This is a way you try not to be lonely physically, but it leads to massive emotional stress.
• Third, you never ask for anyone’s help and strongly believe you need to solve all your problems independently. You feel you will burden others with your problems and they will judge you.
• Fourth, you don’t share your negative emotions because you fear being a burden to others. You tend to only share about the good incidents and thereby never really make deep relationships.
• Fifth, you distrust people who show a genuine interest in you, wondering what their ulterior motives are or what’s wrong with them. This affects all your relationships, especially those you make as adults. Your inability to trust can lead to misunderstandings between partners or friends.

“These signs indicate a deep-seated loneliness that stems from not feeling understood or valued for who you truly are,” she said. The therapist stated that recognising these indicators is the first step towards healing. Ready to embark on a journey towards a better you?