5 signs of emotional isolation

Do you ever...

Signs of emotional isolation 

• Have a sense of feeling alone, despite having platonic and intimate relationships?
• Feel no one understands you?
• Avoid close relationships due to a fear of getting hurt?
• Keep people at a distance because you don't trust them?
• Go through long periods of not interacting with others?

What is emotional isolation? 

Emotional isolation is one’s avoidance from close and intimate interactions with others. The phrase “me time”, can sometimes be a positive and healthy way of re-energising one’s well-being, helps define one's needs as well as give meaning to your life.

Too much of “me time” can in most, if not all, cases lead to unhealthy practices, causing distrust and the avoidance of any kind interactions with others. In summary, some form of solitude can actually be healthy for one’s well-being, but too much solitude can also be a sign of you suffering from emotional isolation.

What helps?

Firstly, seeking help and support from a skilled professional can, in turn, provide you with a safe and non-judgemental environment to access internal resources, to discuss the issues and start the healing process.

Another would be to explore the origin of the historical problem(s) before the healing process. In most cases, painful experiences in one’s life or in a significant relationship can be a cause of emotional isolation.

Therefore, it would be worth addressing issues that prevent you from initiating change within yourself and those people you interact with. For example, breaking a cycle of abuse can, in turn, create the notion of trust for others and a total transformation; leading to healthy and positive wellness or well-being.

Unhelpful barriers

Projections and defence mechanisms can put a drain on one’s energy, causing failure to address any underlying problems that is eating away at you and thus cause emotional isolation cycle; this can create patterns of behaviours and a vicious cycle of emotional isolation.

Therefore, working on your relationships or addressing patterns of behaviours can help you build a trusting relationship with others. Also, coming to terms with your past and accepting the reality that people may, or may not hurt you, can be a starting point for the healing process. Taking emotional risks can be both positive and rewarding in creating a new loving and meaningful experience which can effect change and recovery.