We are a group of six nursing students from Cal State L.A. working on our bachelor's degree. We are very passionate about the seriousness of social isolation and the effects it has on your life. We worked very hard to understand what you guys are going through to help you deal with isolation. The purpose of this blog is to share what we have found to help you through your journey. We hope this information will be helpful to you and we wish you healthy mental wellness. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or comments.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
What is Social Isolation?
This happens when your social network (family, friends, ect.) become less and less and contact with them is very reduced. Social isolation can be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary means that for whatever reasons you withdraw yourself from social contacts such as friends and family. Involuntary isolation is when others decide to stop contacting you because of many reasons. Many studies indicate that the main concern of young adults with mental illness is isolation.
Stigma is a big part of isolation and can be a direct cause. Stigma refers to a mark of shame/disgrace on an individual due to an illness, quality or circumstance. Many people without experience of mental illness might feel intimidated when someone they know has such an illness. They might feel like this because they don’t understand it or because they have beliefs about mental illness that are not based on real facts. Some mental illnesses that may cause social isolation in individuals are mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anorexia and other eating disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and addictions such as alcoholism. Social isolation is directly related to and can cause or is caused by depression. Depression can lead to suicidal thoughts.
The facts about illnesses related to social isolation:
In a given year, 25% of adults ages 18 and older suffer from a mental illness http://www.nimh.nih.gov/).
About 15.7% of people were told that they had depression in their lifetime (http://www.cdc.gov/).
About 11.3% of people were told that they had anxiety in their lifetime (http://www.cdc.gov/).
What is it like?
The following are situations and/or feelings you might experience as a result of isolation. Please note that not all may apply to you:
- Discrimination at work and social places.
- Difficulty in obtaining employment.
- Easily fired from job due to stigma.
- Being marginalized and stereotyped.
- Unable to fulfill family roles.
- Difficulty learning and attending school.
- Dropping out of school.
- Using or thinking about using illicit substances to deal with your emotions.
- Feeling that your illness will be viewed negatively.
- Deciding to avoid people so that you don’t have to be judged/criticized.
- Lying or withholding information about your illness from others.
- Thoughts of revealing your illness stop you from interacting socially.
- Your illness makes you believe that you are not good enough.
- Low self-esteem because of your situation.
- Feeling lonely.
- Have feelings of worthlessness (belief that you have no value).
- Feeling depressed and or anxious.
- Feeling that life is not worth living.
- Feeling like no one understands you.
- Anger at others for not understanding your needs.
What can you do?
The most important thing to know is that what you are feeling is absolutely normal. You are not alone and there are many others that are isolated due to their mental illness.
Here are some the things we talk about to help you manage isolation:
- Changing your thinking patterns positively.
- Work on your relationships with others.
- Form new relationships.
- Join online social networks to keep in touch.
- Find things you like to do like hobbies.
- Exercising to lift mood.
- Avoiding bad habits.
Check out the following posts for more in depth ways to deal with isolation!
References Used:
Lubkin, I.M. & Larsen, P.D. (2009). Chronic illness: Impact and interventions (7thed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Kirby, S. (2009). Schizophrenia: a sibling's tale. Mental Health Practice, 13(1), 18-22.
Mostafanejad, K. (2006). Reducing the isolation of young adults living with a mental illness in rural Australia. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 15(3), 181-188.
Varcarolis, E. M., Carson, V. B., Shoemaker, N.C. (2006). Foundations of psychiatric mental health nursing: A clinical approach (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Causes and Risk Factors
Causes
Social isolation has many causes and can affect anyone, especially people with stigmatizing mental illnesses. Social isolation can be a physical distances from people or perceptions and feelings of being socially isolated. Some of the major mental illnesses that can lead to isolation include depression, bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, drug addiction and abuse, anxiety disorders and much more. Voluntary social isolation is often a form of defense mechanism or in other words, a way of protecting the self from the outside world by avoiding and greatly reducing interaction and communication with others. Interaction with people can become stressful or difficult and can alienate people making them feel different and estranged.
One of the prime causes of social isolation for those people with mental illnesses is the stigmas attached to the illnesses. This is in turn has an effecton people’s health seeking behaviors and can therefore interfere with people’s access to the help and treatments they need. Because of the stigmas people may feel that others will judge them, not understand them, and won’t be able to help them leading to feelings of social isolation and or physical social isolation. Although social isolation affects many different people with different mental illnesses, those that have been suffering from a younger age or those with an earlier onset of disease show greater isolative behavior. Despite the different causes of social isolation it is important to remember that there is always hope and help within the healthcare system and the community.
Risks
Studies have shown that long term social isolation can be damaging to mental and physical health. Although social isolation can be brought about by mental disorders, social isolation itself can cause and bring about psychological disruptions. For example people experiencing social isolation are at a high risk of experiencing loneliness secondary to a deficiency in trusting relationships and deficiency in sufficient interaction with the community which in turn can affect quality of life. Voluntary social isolation can be a very negative coping method, bringing about more harm than good. For instance, a person that socially isolates as a defense mechanism due to the stigmas attached to drug abuse may also come to feel lonely and depressed. Social Isolation and loneliness have also been shown to bring about or worsen depression and have been linked to heart disease and poor recovery. Humans are social creatures and need social interaction in order to grow, survive and thrive, thus physically isolating oneself or simply having feelings of being isolated can have negative consequences for the health and well being of the person.
References Used:
References Used:
Karelina, K., Norman, G., Zhang, N., Morris, J., Peng, H., & DeVries, A. (2009). Social isolation alters neuroinflammatory response to stroke. PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(14), 5895-5900. doi:10.1073/pnas.0810737106.
Lauder, W., Mummery, K., Jones, M., & Caperchione, C. (2006). A comparison of health behaviours in lonely and non-lonely populations. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 11(2), 233-245. doi:10.1080/13548500500266607.
Smith, T., & Hirdes, J. (2009). Predicting social isolation among geriatric psychiatry patients. International Psychogeriatrics, 21(1), 50-59. doi:10.1017/S1041610208007850.
Pedersen, D. (2009). Estigma y exclusión social en las enfermedades mentales: Apuntes para el análisis y diseño de intervenciones. Acta Psiquiátrica y Psicológica de América Latina, 55(1), 39-50.
Perese, E., & Wolf, M. (2005). Combating loneliness among persons with severe mental illness: Social network interventions' characteristics, effectiveness, and applicability. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 26(6), 591-609. doi:10.1080/01612840590959425.
Varcarolis, E. M., Carson, V. B., Shoemaker, N.C. (2006). Foundations of psychiatric mental health nursing: A clinical approach (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
6 Ways to Prevent Feelings of Isolation and Promote a Better YOU!
It is a common misconception that feelings of isolation are only felt by individuals with a medical disease, physical disability, or mental illness. However, the feeling of loneliness is a stranger to no one. Young or old, we are all human and share this common emotion. No matter what the case may be, there are ways to prevent these feelings and promote a better understanding of your particular situation.
Recognize and acknowledge- If you begin to feel alone, it is healthy to recognize this feeling, but you must also acknowledge that you are not the only one who has ever felt alone. You can even say this to yourself out loud, “I am feeling alone right now. But I know I am not the only one who feels this way.”
Don’t compare- Don’t compare your situation with those around you that may seem more privileged than yourself. You may see a picture perfect couple walking hand in hand in a park or a man whistling as he strolls to work, but these behaviors paint an incomplete picture of reality. Many individuals put up a front, masking their true feelings to those around them, including you.
Find a hobby- This will help you relax your body and mind and give you a sense of accomplishment. You may get so caught up doing something that you love, you might even forget you were feeling lonely in the first place. These activities may include painting, reading, scrapbooking, gardening, or even volunteering in your community.
Get moving- Include exercise as part of your daily routine. Exercise helps release natural chemicals in your body that make you feel happy and energized. Consider your current health status and choose activities appropriate to your ability level. These activities may include yoga, jogging, weight lifting, or swimming.
Make friends- Today, there are many ways to meet new people or reconnect with old friends. Developing healthy friendships gives you an opportunity to share your feelings with others instead of keeping them bottled up inside. You may even realize that other people are experiencing similar situations as you. You can make new friends by joining a sports team, book club, or even participating in community, school, or church related activities. Just be smart and don’t rush into relationships, just let them happen. Also remember, trusting relationships take time and require patience.
Know what to avoid- There are many things that people may result to when they begin to feel isolated. Most of these choices don’t solve any problems, they only create new ones. When you begin to feel lonely, try to avoid watching television. Limiting TV time to 2-3 hours per day will allow for more time to socially interact with others. Also, avoid drugs and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol may seem like a quick fix, but soon enough, your feelings will resurface.
By choosing to practice any of the above recommendations, you are one step closer to a healthier, better YOU!
References Used:
Carr, C. (2010). Tools for dealing with depression and anxiety. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 4(3), 146-147.
Green, G., Hayes, C., Dickinson, D., Whittaker, A., & Gilheany, B. (2002). The role and impact of social relationships upon well-being reported by mental health service users: a qualitative study. Journal of Mental Health, 11(5), 565-579.
Wright, A., & Cattan, M. (2009). Physical activity and the management of depression. Working with Older People: Community Care Policy & Practice, 13(1), 15-18.
The Road Out of Isolation
Living in social isolation caused by a mental illness can be hard, but there are things you can do to take yourself out of isolation. This process can begin once a decision to change has taken place. Having the right attitude and the intention to change leads to behavioral change. Once the decision to change has been made, seeking information is the next step. By reading this blog, you are now in the process of change.
Join a support group. When you realize that it is time to make a change, there are interventions you can do. This is when you realize you do not want to be isolated anymore, when you want to get back to the people you know and maybe even meet new people. Joining a support group can be a great way to begin your journey out of isolation. This is somewhere you will be able to share your feelings and maybe even realize what led you to become isolated. Isolation can be very lonely and maybe depressing, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. In a support group, you will hear other people’s stories and share yours. In a support group, you can feel free to speak without worrying about being judged because everyone else is going through the same thing and everyone can relate. Meeting new people is another advantage of joining a support group and you may eventually become friends with some of those people. Making friends is a step out of isolation, and having these friends who can relate to what you went through means you will always have someone to talk to who really understands.
Reconnect with family and friends. You can then move on to establishing which relationships you want to regain that have been lost. These are the people that care about you, like your family and friends. Jumping back too quickly and too intensely is something that can backfire, so calling the entire family together might not be the best start. Make a phone call to someone in your family and ask them to have lunch together. Spending time with someone close to you and regaining your relationship can be motivation to regain the other relationships you once had. After the family, you can move on to old friends. One thing to remember is that you don’t want to just call up everyone you once knew, only the people you actually want to regain relationships with and people you see yourself socializing with in the future. A technique called role rehearsal can be helpful in this situation. This is where you anticipate the feelings and behaviors you will have. Imagine how you will feel and behave when you see an old friend. If there are negative feelings, maybe this is someone you are not ready to see again. Moving out of isolation is a process and will not happen overnight, but be patient and stick with your plans.
References Used:
Lubkin, I.M. & Larsen, P.D. (2006). Chronic illness: Impact and interventions (6th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Mezzina, R., Davidson, L., Borg, M., Marin, I., Topor, A., & Sells, D. (2006). The social nature of recovery: discussion and implications for practice. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 9(1), 63-80.
Stickley, T. (2005). Developing a social inclusion strategy for people with ongoing mental health problems. Mental Health Practice, 8(6), 12-15.
How to Feel Less Isolated
Change the way you think. Feelings of isolation can be lessened by changing the way you think. Your friends and colleagues may tell you stories of how much fun they had at a party or how happy they are with their relationships. You may feel isolated and that you are not enjoying your life as much as they do. It is not true that since you are mentally ill, you are the only one who feels loneliness. The truth is, almost everyone feels lonely too. They just do not talk about it. People find themselves alone once in a while. Thinking that it is normal and it happens to everybody can help lessen the loneliness.
Use the internet. We now live in a world with so many opportunities for social contact. Using the internet can help alleviate loneliness. There are numerous websites where people can meet and stay connected like Facebook, Myspace, Friendster, and Multiply. Uploading pictures of your latest whereabouts can help people be updated about you. Your friends can have different opinions about your posts and they can post comments. For example, if they saw you post a picture of you in a nice place, they may comment and ask where that place is. You can then answer their question and that is when the conversation starts. Your friend may be grateful and find you really nice. She or he may remember you as a nice friend and may even invite you on special occasions or to go out sometime.
Help others. Helping other people is a very good way to gain friends. Even small favors can mean a lot to other people. You should not always think about your own good. Thinking about the welfare of others can bring people closer to you. Joining in outreach programs can help you meet friends and help people in need as well. This way, you can both satisfy your own personal needs and the needs of others.
Enroll in classes. Participating in programs that have opportunities to meet friends is a good start. When you enroll in a class that interests you, you will probably meet people who find that class interesting as well. This gives you something common to talk about and possibly grow into a potential relationship.
Attend religious groups. Religious beliefs can provide social connection and meaning to your life. Attending spiritual meetings can be an opportunity for making friends. Churches usually organize social outings for its members. Praying to your god or gods can make you feel less alone as you have someone always ready to listen to you. You may also feel that your god or gods gave you life because you have a special mission on earth which can give meaning to your life.
References Used:
Cacioppo, J. T., & Patrick, W. (2008). Loneliness: human nature and the need for social connection. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Cattan, M., White, M., Bond, J., & Learmouth, A. (2005). Preventing social isolation and loneliness among older people : a systematic review of health promotion interventions. Ageing & Society, 25, 41-67. DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X04002594.
Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook "friends:" Social capital and College students' use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), article 1.
Lubkin, I.M. & Larsen, P.D. (2006). Chronic illness: Impact and interventions (6th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)