Vaishnavi Kuchimanchi
September 1st, 2025
Edited by the YNPS Publications team.
Abstract
Dr. Vivek H. Murthy found that loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness is defined as “the distressing feeling of being alone or separated” by the National Institute on Aging. Oftentimes, it is written off as a simple issue or a phase in someone’s life. Yet its consequences, both physically and socially, are overlooked. Loneliness can affect anyone – at any age, ethnicity, or sexuality – and can have detrimental effects on one’s health. According to a 2024 study conducted by Cigna, 61% of Americans report experiencing loneliness, marking an increase from 54% in 2020.
Introduction
Loneliness manifests in two primary forms: emotional and social loneliness. Emotional loneliness stems from the absence of deep, personal connections, whereas social loneliness arises from a lack of broader social networks or community involvement. It is essential to distinguish between the feeling of loneliness and actual social isolation. Individuals can experience loneliness despite being surrounded by others, while those who live alone may not necessarily feel lonely.
Methodology
A literature review of 5 articles regarding loneliness was employed, including scientific magazines and statistical data from multiple databases.
Loneliness can occur due to many different factors, yet most fall under four broad concepts: social isolation/lack of meaningful connections, life transitions (e.g., moving, loss of a loved one), technology and the impact of social media on relationships, and aging/generational factors. According to the NIA, 1 in 3 older adults live alone, increasing their risk of loneliness and social isolation
Social Media is also a major factor in the skyrocketing loneliness rates. Many people compare themselves to those they see online, like celebrities or models, and become more isolated over time.
Recently, a study by the PRC found that 46% of social media users feel lonelier after using platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
As seen in this study published by John Efflein in 2019, a group of adults was taken in to perform a simple survey regarding the impact of social media usage on feelings of loneliness or social isolation. This survey was able to provide a percentage that can be transposed to current populations to truly understand the connection and impact social media can have on anyone. This study can easily be re-conducted, though the results may vary after a few years.
Results
Side Effects of Loneliness
Loneliness can have many adverse effects over time, both short-term and long-term. This is why
it recently evolved into a public health crisis. During loneliness, people experience a multitude of
emotions and symptoms. This may lead to withdrawal or neglect of self-care.
Short-term effects include:
- Increased Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low Self-Esteem
- Problems Sleeping
Long-term effects include:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Weakened Immune System
- Impaired Cognitive Performance
- Obesity
Discussion
In order to overcome the loneliness epidemic, it is important to foster connections with others. By engaging in meaningful activity and practicing self-care, one can reduce feelings of loneliness. Seeking out professional help from a therapist or a counselor can also provide additional support. Creating a healthy lifestyle and employing habits that promote mental health can combat and prevent loneliness. It is important to point out that being alone is not a problem, but feeling lonely can be dangerous.
The movie “Taxi Driver” describes the story of Travis Bickle, a Vietnam War veteran, who takes a job as a taxi driver to cope with his loneliness and insomnia. Bickle struggles to connect with others as a driver and resorts to other means for temporary forms of happiness. He then goes through an existential crisis and spirals. This is a great resource to understand the experiences of someone who feels lonely and how it can affect different people of different demographics. De Niro, who plays Bickle in the 1976 movie, states he would “keep that man distant, and to prevent becoming like him.” It describes the issues of loneliness, the impact of mental health disorders, and the disconnection Travis undergoes throughout the movie. This is to bring awareness to the consequences of loneliness and its effects, singularly and as a community.
Conclusion
It is important to keep in mind the adverse effects often seen with loneliness and social isolation. If you know anyone struggling, it’s crucial to reach out to them and/or a trusted adult as well. Treatment is always available, and people can always recover. The next steps to address this issue are to increase awareness through more conversations and education, in order to destigmatize this essential topic, and to allow for more accessible treatment for all.
Loneliness can be overcome with a healthy community, unwavering support from adults and other individuals invested in your growth and health, both mental and physical. It is important to remember to accept yourself and find things that make you happy, whether it’s as simple as watching your favorite movie or hanging out with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
References
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, September 30). How Loneliness Can Impact Your Health. Cleveland Clinic. health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-in-your-body-when-youre-lonely.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2024, May 15). Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/risk-factors/index.html.
Elflein, J. (2021, June 11). Social Media and Loneliness or Isolation U.S. 2019. Statista. www.statista.com/statistics/1104187/us-adults-social-media-loneliness/
Hoffman, J. (2016, April 22). Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese Reflect on Taxi Driver’s 40th Anniversary. Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair. www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/04/robert-de-niro-and-martin-scorsese-reflect-on-taxi-drivers-40th-anniversary
Ryo Naito, Darryl P. Leong, Shrikant Ishver Bangdiwala, Martin McKee, S. V. Subramanian, Sumathy Rangarajan, Shofiqul Islam, Alvaro Avezum, Karen E. Yeates, Scott A. Lear, Rajeev Gupta, Afzalhussein Yusufali, Antonio L. Dans, Andrzej Szuba, Khalid F. Alhabib, Manmeet Kaur, Omar Rahman, Pamela Seron, Rafael Diaz, … Salim Yusuf. (2021, March 22). Impact of social isolation on mortality and morbidity in 20 high-income, middle-income and low-income countries in five continents. BMJ Global Health, 6(3), e004124. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004124
Youth Neuropsychology Society 
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