The Silent Struggle: Understanding Isolation and Its Impact on Mental Health By Phiona Hutton
Isolation is a silent epidemic affecting millions across the globe. It creeps in unnoticed, often masked by physical health issues, social withdrawal, cultural displacement, or life transitions like divorce or bereavement. While a moment of solitude can be healing, prolonged isolation can become a breeding ground for emotional, mental, and even physical suffering. What Is Isolation? Isolation is more than being alone, it's the distressing experience of feeling disconnected, unseen, or misunderstood. It affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. The causes are varied: Social withdrawal due to anxiety or trauma Chronic illness or disability that limits mobility or energy Elderly loneliness , especially after the loss of a spouse Divorce or separation from loved ones Community rejection , especially in cases of LGBTQIA+ discrimination Immigration and emigration , where cultural and language barriers isolate individuals Neurodiversity , where individuals may ...
