Loneliness: Encyclopedia II - Loneliness - Effects of Loneliness

Loneliness - Effects of Loneliness

Chronic loneliness (as opposed to the normal loneliness everyone feels from time to time) is a serious, life-threatening condition. It is a major risk factor in artery erosion, high blood pressure, and stress-related conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

In 2005, results from the U.S. Framingham Heart Study demonstrated that lonely men had raised levels of IL-6, a blood chemical linked to heart disease.

Loneliness can play a part in alcoholism, and in children a lack of social connections is directly linked to several forms of antisocial and self-destructive behavior, most notably leaving school early (dropping out), along with hostile and delinquent behavior. In both children and adults, loneliness often has a negative impact on learning and memory. It can have a devastating effect on sleep patterns, and thus on the ability to function in everyday life.

Various studies have revealed that loneliness is implicated in a wide range of medical problems, some of which may not be symptomatic for years. One particularly remarkable finding, from a survey conducted by John Cacioppo who is a psychologist at the University of Chicago, is that doctors say they provide better medical care to patients who have a strong network of family and friends than they do to patients who are alone.

Among many other negative effects of loneliness, one of the most important is depression.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Effects of Loneliness", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki