One of the personal consequences of entitlement is that Karens often experience loneliness and isolation from others. This can lead to various psychological conditions and health problems such as anxiety or depression.
Loneliness can affect people of all ages, but it’s especially prevalent during adolescence and young adulthood. Additionally, pandemics or other public health situations that require people to physically distance themselves from others may exacerbate feelings of loneliness.
1. Unrealistic Expectations of Others
Home, work and school environments alike can all suffer from loneliness and isolation; leading to feelings of unappreciation and even depression.
People may experience loneliness and social isolation for various reasons, including life events such as the loss of a loved one or divorce. For some however, the issue lies within themselves – their expectations about themselves and how they view themselves in the world.
If you’re feeling lonely, Thriveworks Knoxville counselors can help pinpoint the source of your feelings and develop strategies to combat them. Counselors also provide support in maintaining healthy social outlets and close relationships.
Loneliness can have a detrimental effect on everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing, from young children to seniors. It has been known to contribute to depression, other mental health disorders, as well as physical ailments like sleep disturbances or high blood pressure.
Recent years, researchers have developed a theory of loneliness that connects it to one’s self and relationships with others. A strong self-concept can reduce feelings of loneliness, as can having an extended network of friends and family members.
One theory of loneliness is an evolutionary one, which suggests that hunter-gatherers who chose to disengage from their family and social circles were more likely to survive as individuals than those with strong ties to their tribe.
It’s essential to remember that no one can fulfill your expectations. That is why it is so crucial for you to evaluate your own expectations and determine whether they are realistic. If not, let them go gracefully.
2. Lack of Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can cause feelings of isolation or loneliness, as one feels unworthy to receive love or acceptance from others.
It is essential to be aware that there are many people around the world with low self-esteem, but that does not make you any less of a person. Maintaining an upbeat outlook and believing in yourself can help boost your motivation levels and confidence levels.
Many people with low self-esteem feel they cannot measure up to the expectations set by others, such as their parents or authority figures. It may also be due to being different or an outcast within their peer group.
Being LGBTQ+ can often lead to feelings of loneliness. Some LGBTQ+ individuals may face rejection by family members or not feeling accepted by their friends, leading to feelings of alienation and unhappiness.
Loneliness can be a risk factor for several health conditions, such as high blood pressure, sleep disorders and a weak immune system. It has even been known to contribute to psychological conditions like depression and anxiety.
If you feel as if your self-esteem is suffering, it is essential to reach out to a mental health professional for assistance. They can offer various treatment options designed to promote healthier thoughts and behaviors.
In addition to seeing a therapist, you should practice healthy self-care techniques to enhance your perception of yourself. This could include exercising regularly, eating nutritiously and getting enough sleep each night. You should also try doing activities that make you happy such as reading books that stretch your mind or performing random acts of kindness.
3. Depression or Anxiety
Loneliness is often linked with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. It could also indicate low self-esteem or a personality trait that makes one less likely to build social connections.
Many people may experience loneliness from time to time, but those suffering from mental health illnesses such as depression or anxiety might feel it intensely and negatively impact their life. If left untreated, these conditions could lead to severe emotional and physical problems or even suicide.
Studies have demonstrated that feeling lonely can be a precursor to more severe emotional and psychological problems such as depression, chronic stress and even dementia. It may also result in physical health complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity or metabolic syndrome.
It can be challenging to know if you are suffering from depression or anxiety, so it is essential that you reach out for professional help as soon as possible. A mental health professional can accurately diagnose whether you have depression or anxiety and provide tailored treatment based on your specific symptoms.
You can take steps to combat feelings of loneliness, such as getting involved with a new activity or meeting new people. Alternatively, you could try strengthening an existing relationship or creating one from scratch, depending on your requirements and desires.
Additionally, speaking with a professional about your feelings of loneliness and how they are affecting your quality of life can be beneficial. They will be able to determine what is causing the loneliness and suggest steps for improving it.
Combatting feelings of loneliness is the best way to combat them. This could be done through volunteering, attending a local event or going to church with friends.
4. Lack of Personal Relationships
One of the major difficulties experienced by those suffering from loneliness is a lack of personal connections. They may have many friends on Facebook or Instagram, but these connections may not be what one would wish for in terms of real-life friendships.
Loneliness can make you feel much more isolated than normal and may lead to physical issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, muscle tightness and insomnia. Research has even shown that those who experience loneliness tend to experience severe stress more frequently; this could result in health issues like hypertension, heart disease, muscle tightness or overeating or undereating.
That is why having a support network of friends and family who you can rely on is so important. They will guide you through difficult times, as well as provide encouragement when needed.
Unfortunately, not everyone has this support network in place. Studies show that those who experience loneliness tend to have fewer close friends and family members they can rely on; additionally, they lack spouses or group affiliations which makes it harder for them to build supportive relationships.
Furthermore, loneliness can lead to depressive feelings and the belief that they are alone in their struggles. This could lead them to believe they are unimportant and worthless in the eyes of others.
Thankfully, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your feelings of loneliness and isolation from others. These include talking to those close to you about how you’re feeling, engaging with people in your community, and finding new ways to build a social life.
5. Lack of Financial Resources
Financial hardships can often cause people to feel alone and isolated from others, especially if their peers have more income and better-run finances than them. Karens may feel financially embarrassed if this is the case for them.
Money problems may arise due to a decrease in income or an increase in expenses. No matter the cause, people must always ensure they have enough cash on hand for emergencies. If savings have been difficult, they may want to find work that pays more or find ways to save more funds.
Loneliness has been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, such as heart disease, depression, dementia and even shorter lifespans. Chronic loneliness can trigger stress hormones that disrupt sleep patterns, weaken immunity systems and negatively impact cognitive performance.
According to Laura Hawkley, PhD, associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, lonely adults tend to be less active than their non-singled peers. This could be because they lack healthy habits such as exercising or eating nutritiously, which could explain why studies have found such a correlation.
Older adult loneliness is especially likely to develop when individuals have functional limitations and a weak family support network, according to experts. Fortunately, better self-rated health and increased social interaction can help combat feelings of isolation and increase the likelihood that people will reengage with their communities.
Recently, research published in the Journal of Gerontology revealed that loneliness may increase one’s risk for dementia. Compared to those who weren’t, those who reported feeling lonely had 40% more brain damage and experienced a 20% decline in memory. To better understand its causes and develop strategies to combat loneliness, further investigation is necessary, according to its authors.
