Effects of Social isolation

The effects of solitary confinement and social isolation on an individuals mental health. “We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone. “ – Orson Welles Human beings are social creatures, we talk, eat, shop, work, study and spend our time together, we share our most treasured moments of life and also our worst moments, we discuss our problems and use other humans as counsellors.

It's hard to think of but imagine if we took all that away, and we were left by ourself, how would the brain cope and also, how would we cope?

For some people this is a reality, whether because they choose to be, have social anxiety, are depressed, are avoidant or simply just introverted.

Whatever a person thinks about of socialising with other humans, whether it's strangers, family or friends, it is clear that the brain cannot cope without this and is mentally unhealthy.

I know by my own experience that spending a long time on my own can put me into a depressive mood, and make me feel like i'm going insane.

When we are on our own for too long our brain cannot cope and as a result tries to socialise by simply communicating with itself, we start to question our own understanding of reality, who we are and what we think of the world.

After a long time, we start to look at the world in a different way, we start to evaluate people, what they think and what they do and our opinions of people and the world become more and more introverted.

Out of every prisoner in the US, 2% are kept in maximum solitary confinement, eating, sleeping and living by themselves, with perhaps only an hour or two a week allowed for exercise in a small confined space. With no social contact or mental stimulation, what becomes of these prisoners and people like them?

They become depressed, anxious, claustrophobic, impulsive, angry and as a result of feeling disconnected start to perceive the world in a very negative way.

Studies have also shown people may start to experience impaired vision and hearing (tinnitus), weakened immune system.

Previously healthy people have started to experience symptoms matching psychosis and many have committed suicide.

The lack of human interaction and mental stimulation can aggravate their symptoms to levels equivalent of torture.

In the past social isolation has caused prisoners to lash out and swallow razors, smashing their heads into walls and cutting their flesh.

So at what point does our mental and emotional state crash down to this level?, well it is clear after frequent long periods of isolation the brain simply cannot cope with the lack of social interaction and mental stimulation and as a result our emotional and mental health crashes down.

At this insecure level we may develop very negative, rash and hated thoughts about ourselves and the world, developing antisocial attitudes thus possibly causing disorders such as Anti-social Personality Disorder (ASPD).

I have written this article to highlight the 'lethality' of isolation, it does not serve to state every isolated person in the world is criminally mad, but merely making points based on factual evidence.

Neuro-psychologists are currently looking into why isolation can be so detrimental to one's health and if there are perhaps ways it can be stopped, reversed and prevented.

For now it is clear that one who suffers from isolation to a degree where they really begin to question themselves, should seek help. Whether it's a Psychiatrist or Psychotherapist at least you will be talking (socially) to someone, it could save your life.