Loneliness: N

n. affective and cognitive discomfort or uneasiness from being or perceiving oneself to be alone or otherwise solitary. Psychological theory and research offer multiple perspectives: Social psychology emphasizes the emotional distress that results when inherent needs for intimacy and companionship are not met; cognitive psychology emphasizes the unpleasant and unsettling experience that results from a perceived discrepancy (i.e., deficiency in quantity or quality) between an individual’s ... Loneliness is a perceived state of being alone that causes discomfort or uneasiness. Learn about the types, signs, causes, risk factors, and effects of loneliness on mental and physical health, and how to manage and prevent it. Loneliness affects many people and carries heavy consequences aside from being emotionally painful. Check out these nine coping mechanisms the next time you're lonely. Are you feeling lonely? Use these 18 strategies to overcome loneliness .