Growing Trends of Loneliness Linked To, But Not Equal To, Depression.

Many have argued that depression rates have increased over the last decades. One measure of this statistic examined by various researchers is the increasing rates of suicide. In an article recently written in the New York Times the author reports that between 1999 and 2010, suicide rates have risen close to 30% in the population group of Americans between the ages of 35 and 64. Although there are various reasons for this rise, researchers have pointed towards issues surrounding changes in marriage, social isolation and family roles. In another article published in the New York Times, an opinion columnist connected these statistics with a sociologist’s view that suicide rates have increased as individuals are becoming more separated from “core institutions (e.g., marriage, religion) or when their economic prospects take a dive (e.g., unemployment).”

Feeling of lonely isn't about not having people around.

However, in another popular media outlet, author of the book Loneliness: A Memoir puts into question if these rates are reflective of increasing rates of depression or more demonstrative of the unspoken struggle of long-term loneliness. This author discussed the idea that the term “loneliness” has been tied to social stigmas that include assumptions of an individual being “passive, (mentally) slow, insincere and…uncoordinated.” These stigmas have caused discussions on loneliness to be considered a taboo topic while conversations about depression are widely acceptable and treatable. In America, with these growing rates of suicide and a lack of focus on building social connections, could the solution be found in resolving the root cause of loneliness instead of simply medicating a possibly misdiagnosed "depressed" population? 

In a study performed by Capioppo, Hughes, Waite, Hawkley and Thisted (2006), researchers identified that loneliness is a risk factor that can lead to depressive symptoms but that these two constructs are distinct. They studied specifically how loneliness is a risk factor for depression needed to be examined. Loneliness is an important topic to address because of the impact it has on an individual's emotional and physical health and also the wellbeing of the society. In this study, the researchers supported that middle-aged individuals who often face issues of loneliness also continue having other health problems. This list of problems included lack of independent living, alcoholism, elevated blood pressures, impaired sleep, and suicide (Capioppo, Hughes, Waite, Hawkley & Thisted, 2006). The correlation between these issues and loneliness illustrate that lowering levels of loneliness (especially for older adults) can increase the chance of maintaining healthy and functional living.

Another reason why loneliness is an important topic to dissect in the context of mental health is because it has been seen to be an attitude that can be contagious. Capioppo, Fowler, and Christakis (2009) performed a study to observe the spread of loneliness among a social network. The results provided evidence that even among a network of individuals, those on the periphery (with fewer connections) eventually end up separating completely from the network while passing along their loneliness to their remaining friends. 

Standing together in community.

The solution to this rising levels of suicide, therefore, may not be simply solved through prescribing antidepressants but rather in discovering a method by which to alleviate this increasingly great sense of loneliness. In the article by 

Capioppo, Fowler, and Christakis (2009), the researchers propose that "interventions to reduce loneliness in our society may benefit by aggressively targeting the people in the periphery to help repair their social networks." In tackling the issue of loneliness (and not just depression) together in community, the hope is that protective barrier will be built. Currently there are some movement towards breaking the cycle of loneliness. One example of this is is the SCALLOPS program started up in Seattle, WA. The focus and goal of this program is to be able to engage communities within one's neighborhood in a sustainable way. By promoting a community based culture, it will advocate for a society that incorporates the building of social ties. Through SCALLOPS, organized outreach events, education, and community-building programs continue to build the network within towns and neighborhoods.

In the field of community health nursing, loneliness is a potentially preventable issue that is not often discussed. As with all scopes of nursing, the beginning step starts at assessment. In consideration of mental health and illness, a community health nurse could be involved in actively listening to clients and distinguishing between loneliness and depression. The culture of stigmatizing the feeling of "loneliness" need to be resolved as discussion with individuals become more open for sharing genuine feelings - whether it is actual depression or generalized loneliness. Appropriate assessment leads to effective implementation. Although symptoms of loneliness and depression may not be as visibly different at first, prevention and treatment may vary as a deeper look into these two growing problems are examined.