Break free from the mental toll of loneliness

Feeling disconnected and empty? Loneliness is more than just being alone. Learn how to recognise and manage loneliness before it escalates into mental health issues, thanks to expert advice from psychologist Siphokazi Makubalo

Despite living in an age of social media and instant communication, many people feel more lonely than ever. To help unpack this growing issue of loneliness, clinical psychologist Siphokazi Makubalo sheds light on the emotional, mental, and even physical toll that loneliness can take.

“Loneliness is feeling a sense of emptiness and disconnection from other people,” explains Makubalo.

“So, these are the people who crave social connection or even a general connection with other people. But because of whatever mental problems or cognitive problems they are experiencing, it then becomes hard for them to connect with other people.”

The Johannesburg-based psychologist also delves into how loneliness is more than just the absence of company but a deep, aching void that can settle within, even in a crowded room.

Feeling disconnected and empty

According to her, loneliness differs from solitude, which is often seen as a positive experience.

“Solitude is when someone enjoys spending time alone but they still maintain connections with others. They can isolate themselves when they choose to, but when they want to connect, they have no trouble reaching out.

“Today, we’re focusing specifically on loneliness, where the individual feels disconnected and empty inside because they are unable to establish meaningful relationships with others.”

She notes that loneliness doesn’t always mean that you’re lonely, but also that being around people doesn’t mean that you are not lonely.

“Loneliness is a state of mind. You can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. So it’s a feeling of emptiness within yourself that you can experience even if you are with other people or even if you are in a crowd.”

Makubalo also notes certain life events and circumstances that can make someone more vulnerable to loneliness, such as mental health struggles or the loss of a loved one, but loneliness does not have one particular cause.

“The passing of someone close to you is one of the major contributing factors to loneliness. So if a person experiences a loss, then they constantly crave the connection from that person but that person is no longer there, and that can cause too much loneliness.”