Relation Between Isolation and Depression

What is depression?

Depression is defined as a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and lack or loss of interest. It affects an individual’s feelings, thinking, and behavior and leads to both physical and mental problems. Clinical depression or major depression can be so severe that it affects a person’s day-to-day activities and greatly reduces the overall quality of life.

What is isolation/self-isolation?

Isolation is a state where an individual is disconnected from others in their family, social circles, or community, which can occur even in the physical presence of others. Isolation may be self-imposed, or be inflicted upon an individual and is especially seen to occur with individuals with mental health issues. Most people who tend to isolate themselves are engulfed in negative thoughts, and the emotions that are being experienced are in their most intense state.

What are the causes of depression?

There are multiple causes of depression that are listed below:

Life events:

The experience of neglect, grief, imbalanced parental treatment of siblings, mental abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, rape, catastrophic injury,  natural calamities, can lead to the development of depression

Stress:

Stress-related to family, work, living conditions, education, financial problems, unemployment, peer pressure, victimization, relationship issues, etc., can cause depression.

Personality issues:

Personality issues include poor sleep patterns, loss of interest in activities, low self-esteem, and feelings of despair can lead to depression.

Chronic Medical Conditions:

Chronic Medical Conditions like diabetes, chronic pain, stroke, cancer, HIV, etc., can lead to depression.

Medications and Substance Abuse:

long term use of medications such as beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, contraceptives, etc., and substance abuse of alcohol, painkillers, sedatives, opioids, cocaine, etc., can lead to depression.

Mental Health Problems:

Mental Health Problems such as borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, and PTSD can lead to depression.

Hormonal imbalances:

Hormonal imbalances in the body can lead to depression.

Alteration of brain chemistry:

Alteration and changes in the function of neurotransmitters in the brain can lead to the development of depression.

Genetic Factors:

Genetic factors are believed to play a role in depression, and individuals with close blood relatives with depression are likely to develop depression themselves.

What are the probable causes of Self-Isolation?

The isolation that is self-inflicted can be due to various factors and can include the following

• Depression
• Feelings of embarrassment
• Feeling different from others
• Feeling that nobody understands
• Feeling of worthlessness, helplessness,
• Feeling of self-doubt, or awkwardness
• Fears or phobias
• Anxiety such as social anxiety
• Unresolved trauma or distress

More than one of these causes may be present at the same time that may force or cause an individual to isolate themselves from others.  

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression can have a plethora of symptoms that may occur individually or together in various combinations, and these symptoms persist for the most part of the day and continue for an extended period. Symptoms of depression can include

• Feeling sad, tearful, empty, disappointed, and hopeless.
• Feeling irritable, aggressive, restless, and frustrated.
• Feeling worthless, and guilty, thinking of past failures, and self-criticizing.
• Loss of interest and pleasure in hobbies, sports, or sex.
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and social life.
• Unable to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, and complete simple tasks.
• Sleep problems like being unable to sleep or sleeping too much.
• Appetite problems like not eating at all or eating too much.
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.
• Consuming excessive alcohol and using drugs.
• Feeling tired and weak all the time.
• Unexplained muscle pains and headaches.
• Frequent and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide

Why do people isolate themselves?

Individuals may choose to isolate themselves for any of the following reasons

• To process of the emotions that they feel is very complex
• To avoid placing the burden of their problems on their loved ones
• To revisit their options to deal with the situation or emotions
• To avoid embarrassment
• To be in a safe place
• To recover from mental exhaustion and tiredness
• To fight or address the feeling of being overwhelmed with situations or emotions
• To avoid being judged
• They feel unworthy or helpless
• They are unaware of how to deal with the situation or do not know how to talk to anyone about their problem
• They are unable to hide their emotions or keep pretending to be alright in social situations due to the emotional stress they are experiencing
• They are ashamed or guilty about a problem that they are experiencing

How are self-isolation and depression linked or related?

Psychiatrists say that depression and isolation tend to form an endless vicious loop and cycle in which an individual can get trapped. An individual who is depressed usually tends to isolate themselves from others in trying to deal with the problem on their own, and an individual who isolates themselves tends to worsen the condition of depression.

Isolation in almost all cases, especially if it is for an extended period of time, and not limited to re-energizing oneself or rediscovering oneself so that one can return to being social in a normal way, will only push a person into a complex pattern of decline that causes the body to build a defence mechanism that prevents them from socializing normally with others. Isolation for extended periods of time can also make the other symptoms of depression worsen and intensify over time, and without proper help, it can lead to severe mental health issues such as suicidal tendencies and self-harm. Isolation can also have a deep negative impact on work, family life, social life, and interpersonal relationships, which in turn can push the individual further into depression, or other mental health problems.  

It is therefore very important to recognize if self-isolation is momentary and beneficial, or is related to an underlying cause that requires professional medical help. Seeking medical help from a psychiatrist nearby is something that is in no way associated with shame, and it is in fact highly essential and recommended.