Depression is more than a feeling of sadness. It is a constant feeling of worthlessness in which you feel helpless to change anything and you can no longer find pleasure in life. Feelings of loneliness can develop out of your depression and can be perpetuated by your lack of interest in activities and your increase in isolating behaviors.
Basics
Depression can create feelings of loneliness, resulting from the isolation that you find yourself in. Your depression can create negative thoughts and feelings within yourself that will help sustain your feelings of being alone. One of the symptoms of depression is pulling away from others and reducing contact with friends and family, according to the Mayo Clinic. Depression is a mental-health issue that can produce physical symptoms and can be chronic enough to require lifelong treatment.
Causes
Depression is caused by chemical changes in the brain, such as a reduction in mood-elevating neurotransmitters, an imbalance in your hormones, genetics, trauma and life events, such as death of someone important to you, according to the Mayo Clinic. The feeling of being alone can be a cause of depression. When you feel you are not understood by others and you are different from your friends and family, you might experience depression, according to the Young Women's Health website. Examples of situations that can perpetuate your experience of feeling alone can include dealing with a chronic illness, being gay, lesbian or bisexual, and dealing with family members who experience mental-health or addiction problems.
Significance
One of the symptoms of depression is feelings of loneliness and a reduction in interaction with those you used to enjoy, such as your family and friends. Talk to a mental-health professional if you or someone you know is feeling depressed and lonely, because these symptoms could lead to negative life changes and thoughts of death or attempts at suicide.
Therapy
Therapy for depression will focus on the pessimistic views and negative thoughts that are a chronic symptom. The therapist will most likely use cognitive behavioral therapy to help you develop new thought patterns and goals for yourself, according to the Mayo Clinic. These new thoughts will challenge your negative thought patterns, enabling you to replace them with positive ones. Also, the therapist will challenge you to increase your socialization with others and challenge your feelings about being different to counter your feeling of loneliness.
Considerations
If you feel your depression is perpetuated by your feelings of loneliness, get involved with a support group or self-help group. There are self-help groups focused solely on dealing with depression, and there are self-help groups that focus on the causes of depression, such as chronic illness or sexual orientation. These groups will help you feel as though you are not the only one going through or experiencing what you are experiencing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, it will give you a regular opportunity to socialize and meet new people who have something in common with you, reducing your feelings of loneliness.
