Emotional isolation

Emotional isolation is a word that is being used to describe "a state of isolation where the individual is emotionally isolated, but may have a well functioning social network.” Isolation can mean one of two things:

• social isolation,
• emotional isolation.

Social isolation is an authentic physical isolation from other people, or be short of close friends generally. Socially isolating oneself can denote staying home for days, not talking with friends or acquaintances, and generally avoiding contact with other people.

Emotional isolation, which may perhaps include or result in social isolation, which typically involves emotional pulling out from other people, in the sense that we keep our feelings to ourselves entirely, we are incapable to accept emotional support from others. Isolation is not a diagnosis, but it is a frequent indicator of depression.

We "shut down" or feel without sensation, and we cannot or don’t exchange a few words with others, with the exception of perhaps for the most superficial matters (for example: "close up the door, put down the light and leave me alone"). Social isolation is potentially together a reason and a symptom of emotional or psychological challenges.

It is significant to note that at times, both kinds of isolation possibly will not be a choice; that is, people may be socially or emotionally isolated although they report “wanting to have friends, wanting to engage emotionally, and wanting to have a support network, but for some reason are unable to make those connections.

Therapy can lend a hand to deal with the emotional and psychological issues that can guide to isolating behaviors. Loneliness becomes isolation when (except joining a monastery or similar spiritual group):

• We stay away from people for an unlimited period (more than a day or two)
• We keep away from people out of fright or hopelessness
• We avoid people out of fear of being deserted, or out of a sense of shame or low self-worth
• We circumvent people to the loss of our imperative social or professional relationships

Questions:

• What are the types of therapy used in the treatment of isolation?
• Justify that isolation is a frequent disorder of depression.