I experience depression due to isolation everyday. I don’t choose to have depression, but I do choose to be isolated because I’m not around anybody, so me anxiety is low. Therefore, I’d rather experience depression than anxiety. I sit in my room with the laptop and I type away. Nobody bothers me, which is the way that I like it. I don’t have to deal with anybody and their attitude. When feeling sad, I’d rather be alone. Isolation, defined as a lack of social contact with others, can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental health. Prolonged isolation can lead to depression, a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Here are some ways in which isolation can contribute to depression:

Ways In Which Isolation Contributes To Depression

Lack of social support; Humans are social creatures and require social connections with others to feel supported, loved, and cared for. When an individual is isolated and lacks social support, they may feel a sense of loneliness and hopelessness, leading to depression.

Reduced sense of purpose; Social interactions can give individuals a sense of purpose, a feeling that they are contributing to society in some way. In contrast, prolonged isolation may reduce one’s sense of purpose, leading to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness that can contribute to depression.

Rumination; When an individual is isolated, there is more opportunity for overthinking and rumination. Rumination is defined as repetitive and intrusive thoughts about negative experiences, which can increase the risk of depression.

Sleep and appetite disturbances; Social isolation, combined with changes in diet and activity levels, can affect sleep and appetite. Disruptions in sleep and appetite may lead to disruptions in mood, contributing to the development of depression.

Limited access to resources; Social isolation can make it difficult for individuals to access resources and treatments needed to manage depression, making it more likely to persist.

DBSA

DBSA stands for Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, which is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for individuals living with mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. DBSA was founded in 1985 and has since grown to over 600 chapters across the United States. The organization provides a range of resources and services to support individuals living with mood disorders, including peer support groups, online support, educational resources, and advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals with these conditions.

MDD Diagnosis And Treatment

MDD stands for Major Depressive Disorder, which is a mental health disorder. Major Depressive Disorder is a common mental illness that affects millions of people around the world. MDD can be caused by a variety of factors, including biological, genetic, and environmental factors. In addition to intense feelings of sadness or hopelessness, symptoms of MDD may include changes in appetite or weight, fatigue, difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Treatments for MDD may include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression

Depression and anxiety are two different mood disorders with distinct symptoms, but they also have some common symptoms. Here are some of the overlapping symptoms between depression and anxiety:

Sleep disturbances; Both depression and anxiety can cause difficulty in sleeping or sleeping too much. People may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or wake up feeling unrefreshed.

Irritability; Irritability is a common symptom in both anxiety and depression. People may feel easily annoyed, agitated, or restless.

Concentration difficulties; Both disorders can cause problems in focusing, concentrating, or remembering things.

Loss of interest; Both disorders can cause a loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable. People may feel unable to enjoy activities they once did or find it challenging to take pleasure in life events.

Negative thinking; Depression and anxiety disorders can cause negative self-talk or ruminative thoughts. People may have a negative view of themselves and the future.

Social withdrawal; Both disorders may cause social withdrawal or avoidance. People may feel too anxious or depressed to take part in social activities.

Treatment Resistant Depression

Isolation and treatment resistant depression (TRD) can be linked in a cycle, where one feeds into the other. Social isolation and withdrawal can be both a symptom and a consequence of TRD. When someone has TRD, they may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, have trouble connecting with others, and struggle with low self-esteem, negative thoughts, and hopelessness. These symptoms can lead to social isolation, where individuals may avoid social situations, spend more time alone, or withdraw from relationships.

Conversely, in some cases, sustained isolation or loneliness can even lead to the development of depression or TRD. Research has suggested that isolation can increase the risk of depression, and there is some evidence to suggest that prolonged social isolation can lead to changes in the brain, including reduced connectivity between brain regions implicated in emotional regulation and mood.

Crippling Depression And Isolation

Crippling depression describes a severe and persistent symptoms of depression that significantly impact an individual’s functioning and quality of life. Individuals with crippling depression may experience severe symptoms, including intense sadness, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and despair. Isolation and crippling depression share several commonalities, such as:

Withdrawal; People experiencing isolation and crippling depression tend to withdraw from social activities, relationships, and opportunities. This withdrawal can take many forms, such as not answering phone calls or messages, avoiding social gatherings, or neglecting hygiene and self-care.

Negative self-talk; Negative self-talk is common among people experiencing isolation and crippling depression. They may feel worthless, hopeless, or helpless, and believe they have nothing to contribute to society or the world.

Lack of motivation; Both isolation and crippling depression can cause people to lose motivation. They may feel unmotivated to engage in activities, work, or chores, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of failure.

Physical symptoms; Both isolation and crippling depression can have physical symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, and fatigue. These symptoms can make it challenging to engage in day-to-day activities and exacerbate feelings of isolation and hopelessness.

Neglect of self-care; People experiencing isolation and crippling depression often neglect their own physical and mental health needs. They may stop taking medications, skip medical appointments, or stop engaging in self-care activities like exercise, eating well, or getting enough sleep.

Loss of interest; Both isolation and crippling depression can cause a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. People may lose pleasure in hobbies, social events, sports, or spending time with family and friends.

Overall, both isolation and crippling depression can have significant negative impacts on an individual’s mental and physical health. Consequently, I am in a depression state of mind. I’m having problems with all the symptoms listed above. I haven’t taken a shower in a week. I’m not motivated to do anything, but watch YouTube all day long. My sleeping schedule has become erratic with only sleeping one to two hours at a time.

Conclusion

Depression and isolation can emotionally feed off of one another, making them both hard to deal with. I isolate so I don’t have to deal with the anxiety. I know, you’re probably thinking ‘you’re just running from your problems.’ That may be true, but right now, I’m only taking on one at a time. It’s one against one and not one against the many. Also, I plan on coming out on top for each problem. By the way, I commented in the last post that I wanted to get back on the Lithium for my bipolar symptoms. I saw my doctor today and she put me back on the lithium. Sometimes it pays off to be a consistent advocate for yourself!

Articles

-“What Is Depression”?

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression

-“Warning Signs Of Severe Depression”

https://www.webmd.com/depression/warning-signs

-“High-Tech Treatments For Depression”

https://www.webmd.com/depression/experimental-treatments-depression

Have a Good One,

Cindee, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re not alone!”