Loneliness: Symptoms & Support in York, Manchester & online

What is Loneliness?

Loneliness is a negative feeling in response to the quantity or quality of our social needs not being met. Loneliness can occur in various situations, whether you are surrounded by people or alone.

Loneliness is not a personal failing. You might experience loneliness if you feel socially isolated or misunderstood, have been bullied or abused, are suffering from bereavement, have moved to a new place, are struggling with your mental health, have an illness or disability, or find it hard to make friends.

Everyone experiences loneliness sometimes, for some it is a temporary feeling, but for others it may be more long-term. Some people may enjoy times alone without feeling lonely, whereas others might find this a lonely experience. As such feelings of loneliness will differ from person-to-person and each experience of loneliness is unique.

 

Symptoms of Loneliness

Feeling lonely will affect people in different ways and there is no right or wrong way to feel.

 

Loneliness can make you feel:

Empty

Isolated

Alone

Unwanted

Disconnected from others

Low self-esteem

Anxious

Lacking motivation

 

How to deal with Loneliness

We all feel lonely sometimes, for many different reasons, but if loneliness is significantly affecting how you feel, your mental health or your ability to conduct daily tasks, there are things you can do that may help.

It is important that you don’t dismiss or hide your feelings of loneliness as they can build to feel very overwhelming.

Invest time in maintaining existing relationships with friends, family and those who care about you. You might feel that others are busy, have other priorities and don’t have time for you, but you may be surprised when you take the first step to reach out and reconnect.

Joining local groups or classes based on your interests or creative hobbies are great ways to form new relationships whilst engaging in something you enjoy. Technology is also a useful tool for connecting with people, helping you stay in touch with friends and family, or make new friends by joining online groups.

 

How we can help with Loneliness

Whilst it is normal to feel lonely sometimes, these feelings can also be a symptom of other mental health issues like depression and anxiety. If your feelings of loneliness do not ease through talking and exploring ways to help manage it, it may be time to seek professional help.

Our team of expert therapists can offer you a range of specialist psychological therapies to suit your needs. Our starting point for therapy is to offer an individual consultation to think with you about your worries or concerns and identify the approach to therapy that is most likely to help.

As an independent therapy service, we are delighted to be able to provide a highly personalised approach, informed by clinical research and best practice, professional expertise, and your own preferences.

We understand that seeking therapy can be daunting and that taking the first step can be challenging. We have a team of trained experts who can work with you to design a bespoke and flexible treatment that works best, which is available at our clinics in York, Manchester and online.

Please get in touch using the form below to find out more about how we can help.