Loneliness and Depression

Psychology Today, a leading resource for mental health professionals, defines loneliness “is the state of distress or discomfort that results when one perceives a gap between one’s desires for social connection and actual experiences of it.“

Looking at the mature woman who may have retired, gotten laid off, or quit from work plus may be married, divorced or single as well as our foundation. Life changes from being around friends and coworkers to being home alone thus missing social interaction. Life changes as we mature adults aren’t immune to divorce and to loss of a spouse. Even, lifetime relationships can have one or both partners who feel lonely.

Admittedly, I have suffered from ranges of loneliness with some depression after my divorce years ago and losing my long term employment after 21 years. Both situations I worked hard to change them which I eventually got employment that stuck 1800 miles away and despite active dating, I never settled down again. Each time, I felt like I had no other choice to fight and learn to be content with things that I cannot change. I have experienced days and nights of sleeping all day, being in tears, and crying out to GOD to help. After sometime, I learned to have strength, to have hope and to be content with everyone who’s in my life and with everything that I have. My felines did provide love and stayed with me during my darkest hours. I never went to see a professional nor I used any medications. My mistake.

So, are loneliness and depression related. The Cleveland Clinic located in Cleveland OH describes depression as a “common mental health condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and changes on how you think, sleep, eat and act. It is treatable with talk therapy, medication or both. Feeling lonely provokes sadness and can change on your behaviors.

If you are feeling loneliness and are getting depressed about it, I encourage you to talk to a trusted friend and/or seek medical/professional help like I should HAVE done. If it’s been long term or lost hope or both, please don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Take good care of yourself because you are important, you are valued and you are worthy.

Thank you,

Leslie Elizabeth David.