I once had the pleasure of meeting a woman who rarely left her home. In fact, she didn’t want to leave her home. The woman I met was plagued with a disorder called agoraphobia,“an intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it is hard to escape, or where help might not be available.” (“Agoraphobia: Medlineplus”). It was easy to tell she was suffering. What hurt her most, though, was not being able to see her family. This woman was lonely.
It was physically obvious she was suffering, and that’s what left the biggest impression on me. She was confined to the walls of her home as a result of her disorder and could not enjoy the company of others. Loneliness itself is commonly felt among people. It often results as a side effect of a disorder such as agoraphobia or depression, but it doesn’t have to. Loneliness tends to stem from the isolation of one’s self or the feeling of being separated from others. Extreme loneliness can be caused by isolation or disorders and vice versa. In any case, study upon study upon study shows us that the effects isolation can be detrimental to our health.
There are so many paths that could lead to extreme loneliness and paths that follow after extreme loneliness. “Loneliness is a universal human emotion, yet it is both complex and unique to each individual,” Kendra Cherry, a psychology expert, says. The woman’s agoraphobia wasn’t caused by her loneliness, but rather her loneliness was caused by her agoraphobia. “I had never ever been depressed, it’s why I could survive emotionally as a shut-in,” Kenny Erickson states in an article written about his story. This man shut himself in his home in the thoughts that no one would ever be able to understand him. He rarely left for five years. He eventually became lonely and depressed despite his supposed emotional strength. In reality it wasn’t his strength that kept him from becoming depressed for so long, but his lack of connections. When he realized he needed others is when he began to feel lonely and developed a disorder.
It isn’t healthy to be alone for that long. There are many risks that factor into isolation in all its different forms. In a study led by Donald Hebb, university students were isolated completely. Their senses were minimized, each and every one of them. The students participating in the study quickly became restless and highly emotional. The experiment ended quickly, much to the scientist’s disappointment, due to the alarming distress of the students. The effects in Hebb’s study are similar to the effects of isolation in real situations. The average mind quickly becomes restless when left without stimulation for long periods of time. Still, this is just one of the mental consequences of isolation. The physical effects of isolation and loneliness are numerous. Loneliness even breaks down the body’s defenses. Katharine Gammon, a Livescience contributor, highlights some of the more concerning effects. According to her, “[A person’s] immune system chooses to focus on bacteria rather than viral threats. Without the antiviral protection and the body’s antibodies produced against various ills, the result means a person has less ability to fight cancers and other illnesses.” This means that our bodies are so focused on our social stress, or lack of human interaction, that it’s shutting down some of its necessary functions. The body, in this form, is a danger to itself.
It’s important that we are aware of the effects of extreme loneliness and isolation so we can help ourselves if we are ever found in a bad situation. Some of the causes of depression, agoraphobia, loneliness, etc., are “social-cultural factors that encourage avoidant coping strategies” (Agoraphobia: All About Counseling), trauma, and just plain heartbreak. It’s important that we face our challenges and do not let them deteriorate into something that could be harmful to us. Having others around and having connections mitigates that sense of loneliness and need to isolate. “Researchers also find that people with strong social connections have less stress-related health problems, lower risk of mental illness, and faster recovery from trauma or illness.” (“Connecting” PBS). People like people and are happier when they keep a few around.
The woman I met was lonely. I could tell by her physical appearance. She was pale, thin, and closed off. Her body language told me that she was scared of the world, her words and deeds told me she wanted a change. This woman was fighting her agoraphobia, and though she may lapse, she keeps on trying. She may not have a happy ending yet, but she’s on her way to making one.
Works Cited
“Agoraphobia.” All About Counseling., Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
“Agoraphobia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
Cherry, Kendra. “Loneliness.” About Education.,Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
Erickson, Kenny. “I’m a Shut-In. This Is My Story.” Medium., 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
tiring pages, 