Ask A Therapist: How To Cope With Loneliness

To whoever is reading this, if you ended up on this video, maybe you’ve also been experiencing a bunch of emotional breakdowns recently like me. I want you to know you’re not alone and that you are capable of much more than you think. It’s time to turn the switch, battle through the anxiety and put yourself out there to build a social life with meaningful connections. I’ll try in the coming few months, and I hope you will too.

i can’t stand when people say >you are not alone < yes i am - i’m not the only one struggling but i am struggling alone

As someone who is struggling with loneliness i really dont appreciate seeing the adverse affects listed time and time again, i'm already at the bottom and it adds to my stress. Just focus on solutions and empathy.

Am I the only one that felt this didn’t answer anything at all about loneliness

I wish we didnt blame the loneliness of Gen Z just on social media. Ive been dealing with intense loneliness for a year, and i havent even used social media in a long time. I just wish we wouldn't overlook all the other reasons we get lonely.

My family has all passed away. I moved to a new city after the losses. I've been here 8 years, 3 of those years the recent Covid/Isolation time frame. Thankfully, I'm an Introvert & that made managing a little easier. I worked in public service until retirement. I got myself into therapy recently, but during covid, there were no openings for counseling. I know what I need & want to accomplish through counseling. I volunteer, I help the less fortunate and I rescued pets to fill my home with life. I'm a single woman. I joined a music group on Tiktok and even found friends there in the same age group. I listen to podcasts to learn, I enjoy hearing others & how they deal with the subject at hand & other social issues. Never give up, keep learning and know what you want your goal to be. For me, it was enjoying my independence, having inner peace & serving others. I feel content & happy.

I'm 24/7 alone no friends no family.

The price of vulnerability is far too high a price to pay! They turn around and use your vulnerability against you!

I live a very isolated existence. I live alone and am at home alone 99% of the time. I have no social life and I feel more and more disconnected as time goes on. The only time I leave the house is if I have some essential business to take care of like grocery shopping or bill paying or medical appointments.

Why couldn't someone just tell me this? Every time I check social media, I see my friends in their groups, and I feel like I will never have what they have. I felt like I was the only one with no real friends. But every time I think about it, I realize how much of a lie it is. I do have friends, just when I check social media I feel far away from the people and the times that make me feel accepted and a part of something. This video makes me feel normal. THANK YOU! Needed this <3

I hope this time i can get out of this 4 year season of loneliness

Loneliness is a horrible thing to go through it really makes you feel like youve hit rock bottom and no matter how much u try to claw out you keep falling back in ive lost most my hope

Participating in activities and doing some work just to keep yourself busy or distracted is never a solution to overcome loneliness. Loneliness comes from surrounding yourself with people who make you feel unwanted, casual disrespect, not connecting with yourself and not understanding your inner peace. Again, keeping yourself busy is not a solution to overcome loneliness

I’m 54 years old. The friends I had have either gotten married or have family matters to deal with or have children too. I’m not married and I don’t have a boyfriend either. Needless to say : I’m tired of it. Wen I was younger I just figured that friends came the same way as a boyfriend did, they just came into my life wenever they came.

Loneliness is one of the most difficult things to work through especially in a new environment. Reaching out to a close friend or participating in an comforting activity that brings joy are my two main tools to help me process any feelings of loneliness that happen. Walking or playing beat saber (or any kid of moment) also help redirect any negative feelings and focus on those endorphins for better sleep quality. Thank you for clearly defining loneliness and solitude. I used to think they emote the same results. I hope anyone who is combating loneliness knows that you are not alone and there is a friend out there who would be willing to listen or be present for you. Thanks Dr. Therese for all of the great information!

Spends the first 6 minutes telling you what you already know that loneliness is bad. Skip to 5:46 let's hope something useful is said at that point

I've been living with loneliness all my life and I'm 40.

Moving abroad can be so lonely but I’m much better at being alone now than I used to be ❤ Such an important topic to cover

I’m in it now and have been quite a number of years…. Desperately searching YouTube at this point and so many videos have been 100% useless (even Ted talks - by super social people on loneliness?!) but this video actually was Very good, really …… stepping out of comfort zone , starting w fun activities w others , great ideas . Means more than you could know, to me thanks

People don't want to be approached or talked to, so going out and trying to make friends is impossible. 😅