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social isolation

·March 5, 2024·7 min read

Loneliness Linked to Personality Disorders

A systematic review synthesizing data from 70 studies reveals significant insights into the relationship between loneliness, perceived social support (PSS), and personality disorders. The review found that individuals with personality disorder traits or diagnoses, except those with narcissistic traits, experience higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of PSS compared to the general population and other clinical groups.

This shows a lonely woman and an empty plate.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 13, 2024·5 min read

Loneliness Linked to Negative Eating Behaviors

Researchers reveals significant associations between social isolation, loneliness, and detrimental food and eating behaviors, uncovering the intricate relationship between emotional well-being and dietary habits. The study, involving 29 research papers, found consistent evidence that loneliness correlates with poorer diet quality, including lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher consumption of energy-dense-nutrient-poor foods, both during and outside COVID-19 lockdowns.

This shows a woman sitting alone in a dark room.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 24, 2023·3 min read

Hikikomori: New Tool Sheds Light on Social Isolation Phenomenon

Researchers developed the Hikikomori Diagnostic Evaluation (HiDE), a new assessment tool for identifying pathological social withdrawal or hikikomori. This condition, initially identified in Japan, is characterized by extended physical isolation lasting over six months and is increasingly observed worldwide, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This shows an older man looking out a window.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 21, 2023·7 min read

Elderly People Who Live Alone at Increased Risk of Cognitive Decline

A startling study unveils a critical deficiency in the U.S. healthcare infrastructure: about 1 in 4 older Americans with dementia or cognitive impairments live solo, confronting increased hazards such as unsafe driving, medication mishaps, and overlooked medical appointments. This issue looms large, especially when juxtaposed against the backdrop of an aging demographic that's set to exponentially grow.

This shows a woman sitting alone on a bench.

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·July 2, 2023·4 min read

The Lonely Brain: Unraveling the Neuroscience and Psychology of Isolation

The neuroscience and psychology of loneliness have provided fascinating insights into this pervasive issue, revealing its profound effects on our brain and mental health. Research has shown that loneliness is related to unique brain processing patterns and can contribute to various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

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·June 20, 2023·6 min read

Social Bonds Protect Aging Brains

Social isolation can potentially harm brain structure and cognitive performance, suggesting an increased risk of conditions like Alzheimer's dementia. The study indicates a lack of quality social interaction can lead to a decrease in the hippocampus's volume, crucial for memory formation and retrieval, and poorer cognitive performance.

This shows a man sitting alone on a bench.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 20, 2023·5 min read

Social Isolation’s Health Implications: Unmasking the Mortality Risks of Loneliness

A comprehensive study underscores the alarming link between social isolation, loneliness, and heightened mortality risks. The meta-analysis, involving over two million participants, found a significant increase in all-cause mortality rates for socially isolated and lonely individuals.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 26, 2023·5 min read

Pandemic Pet Pals: Exploring the Complex Relationship Between Pet Ownership, Stress, and Loneliness During Lockdown

During the COVID-19 pandemic, US dog and cat owners became closer to their pets, though pet ownership did not consistently alleviate stress and loneliness. The relationship between mental health and pet ownership was complex, with dog owners experiencing a greater reduction in stress and loneliness compared to cat owners and non-pet owners.

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·April 22, 2023·5 min read

500 Days of Solitude: One Woman’s Experience of Extreme Social Isolation Sheds Light on Time Perception

A woman who recently emerged from a cave after 500 days of isolation reported she rapidly lost her perception of time. Researchers explore how social isolation impacts time perception and the neurobiological mechanisms that may explain this phenomenon.

This shows a woman standing alone in a crowd

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 5, 2023·3 min read

Lonely People’s Divergent Thought Processes May Contribute to Feeling Alone in a Crowded Room

Lonely people's neural responses differ from their less lonely peers, suggesting lonely people may see the world differently from those around them, even if they have a large social network, and this may contribute to feeling lonely.

This shows a woman standing alone by a window

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 4, 2023·4 min read

Tired of Being Alone: How Social Isolation Impacts on Our Energy

A new study found people who experienced social isolation for eight hours reported higher levels of tiredness. The findings suggest low energy may be a basic human response to a lack of social communication.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 14, 2023·4 min read

Social Isolation Triggers Astrocyte-Mediated Deficits in Learning and Memory

During periods of social isolation, astrocytes in the brain become hyperactive. This suppresses circuit formation and memory formation. Reversing astrocyte hyperactivity can help mitigate memory deficits associated with social isolation.