Why does loneliness trap some people, while others can come out the other side?

SOCIAL NETWORK

“Having a social network around you can be helpful in practising social skills. Some people have been so isolated they don’t remember how to interact, or have lost confidence in their ability to do so,” says psychiatrist Dr Farhana Mann.

MENTAL HEALTH

“Depression tends to make people want to withdraw from others, which makes it very difficult to join social groups and develop a sense of belonging,” explains psychology lecturer Dr Juliet Wakefield.

INSIGHT

People can have more success beating loneliness if they seek help. “The fact that someone tells me they’re lonely allows us to have a conversation that may help; I don’t know exactly what will work, but we can talk about it and address it,” says Mann.

DEPRIVATION

“Poverty can make loneliness very difficult to escape from, as it means that the person has fewer resources at their disposal, and this can make it difficult to access social groups in the first place,” explains Wakefield.