The Impact of Social Isolation on Mood Disorders

Humans are social by nature. However, the modern way of life has greatly reduced the quality of social relationships. More and more people live alone, delay getting married, live far from their relatives, and loneliness becomes increasingly common. This suggests that despite developments in technology and globalisation that would presumably promote social connections, people are becoming more socially isolated.

Social relationships have a buffering effect, they can provide resources that promote adaptive behaviour or neuroendocrine responses to acute or chronic stressors such as life events, life transitions or illness. The support from social relationships balances or buffers the damaging impact of stressors on health.

The Effects of Social Isolation on Health

Research found that gene expression differs between people who are socially isolated and those who are not. Isolated individuals have increased expression of genes related to proinflammatory cytokine signalling and prostaglandin synthesis, as well as under expression of genes involved in antibody production, antiviral resistance and lymphocyte function. Social isolation was a predictor of mortality similar to that related to smoking and greater than obesity, high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure.

Social isolation has been linked to numerous mental health problems. Among these mental health problems, mood disorders received a significant attention, since the consequences of social isolation can worsen pre-existing mood disorders or lead to the development of the new ones.

Social Isolation and Mood Disorders

Social isolation can have a profound impact on mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. Research has shown that individuals who experience social isolation are at a higher risk for developing anxiety and depression, and for those who already suffer from these conditions, social isolation can increase their symptoms.

One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that social isolation was linked to an increased risk of depression. The study followed a sample of adults over a four-year period and found that those who experienced social isolation were more likely to develop depression over time in comparison to those who did not experienced social isolation. Similarly, a study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology found that social isolation was associated with heightened symptoms of anxiety.

The negative impact of social isolation on mood disorders can also be seen in elderly. A study published in the Journal of Gerontology found that social isolation was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms in older adults. Social isolation is also linked to the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

What Can Help With Social Isolation?

• Taking care of yourself is an important step to protect yourself from the negative effects of social isolation. Physical activity, balanced diet, getting enough of sleep and engaging in enjoyable activities help managing stress.

• People who immerse in meaningful activities have a sense of purpose and are likely to live longer.

• Talking to people you trust and sharing your feelings helps strengthen relationships.

• Spending time with animals is beneficial for general wellbeing as it may decrease stress level and blood pressure.

• Faith and spirituality can help engage in activities and events.

References:

Cacioppo J. T., Hawkley, L. C. & Thisted, R. A. (2010). Perceived social isolation makes me sad: 5-year cross-lagged analyses of loneliness and depressive symptomatology in the Chicago Health, Ageing, and Social Relation Study. Psychology and Ageing, 25(2), 453-463

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationship and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7)

Klinenberg, E. (2016). Social isolation, loneliness and living alone: Identifying the risk for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 106

Pantell, M., Rehkopf, D., Jutte, D., Syme, S. L., Balmes, J., & Adler, N. (2013). Social isolation: a predictor of mortality comparable to traditional clinical risk factors. American journal of public health, 103(11), 2056–2062.