Loneliness
What is loneliness?
Loneliness is when you feel alone or disconnected from other people, even when they are around you. It can happen when you want someone to talk to, understand you or feel close to, but you do not feel you have this.
You can feel lonely when you are in a crowd, at school, at work or at home. Loneliness is not the same as being alone. Being alone can feel good when you choose it. Loneliness can feel upsetting and unwanted.
Loneliness can make you feel sad, tired or left out. It can also make you feel like nobody understands you or that you do not matter.
Many people feel lonely at some point in their lives. It can be more common when things change, such as starting a new school, moving home or losing touch with friends.
There are many reasons why you might feel lonely. These can be different for everyone. Sometimes, it can be hard to know what is making you feel lonely.
Some people might be more vulnerable to loneliness than others. For example, if you:
- have no friends or family, or are separated from your family
- have experienced sexual or physical abuse, which might affect your ability to form close relationships with other people
- belong to a minority group and live in an area where there are few people from a similar background
- have mobility problems and are not able to attend social activities
- are discriminated against because of a disability, mental health problem, or because of your gender or race
- are a single parent or carer, and it affects your social life
You could try:
- talking to a friend, family member or trusted person about your concerns
- joining a group, class or sporting activity that you enjoy to meet like-minded people
- volunteering to help at a local charity
- owning a pet, as this might provide some emotional comfort and connection. You should only get a pet if you are able to look after it properly
- going for a walk with a friend or family member could provide a good opportunity to talk about how you are feeling
