“I’m so lonely”
No excuses
Only one day into my psychiatry rotation, I have already encountered a depressed patient who confided that he was lonely despite reporting that he tried to foster friendships and sought opportunities to meet people. People in his life seem to have turned on him or involved themselves with substance abuse leaving this patient behind as he chose not to participate. Other times, strangers he met at social events never led to further contact as those strangers always seemed to already have their own lives and be busy with their own friends. While I hypothesize that this patient may have some personality disorder and poor judgment, I think that his loneliness is real and completely preventable. 6 billion people on this earth. There is no reason anyone should feel lonely.
Well-connected
Remember the six degrees of connection, where everyone is connected to one another by at most six people? That means that within a six-person circumference, we will very well know someone who feels isolated or lonely. That means we all have the proximity to prevent loneliness.
Ask
The first step to helping a lonely person is to recognize the loneliness. Some people might start behaving isolated, but others hide it and require a few caring questions to draw out the truth. Take the time to catch up with friends or even people you might peripherally know through other friends.
Do
By finding out enough about someone to see their loneliness, half the battle has already been fought since the preceding interaction already decreased their time feeling lonely. But don’t leave someone on the battle ground once you have found them. Chat with them a few more times, hang out at the gym, go out for lunch or coffee, and introduce them to other people you know well or peripherally to spread out the responsibility of the support network.
Grateful
Having seen the crumbling or absent support networks over the last few days, I am very grateful for having so many people I can count on. My parents and family are reasonable, loving, and caring. My church and fellowship are another staple for friendships and encouragements. And of course with the people I meet through school, my limited social life is pretty lively. I’m glad I’m not lonely and I don’t take that for granted anymore. I hope no one (outside of being my patient) I know is lonely either because I will ask and do.
You are thinking, lots of hard work, much clearer, super progress, I am proud of you, showing your stuff, that’s the way, keep studying, almost there, so close, better than ever, I knew you could do it, way to go.
I will come into your blog spaces at the first time you update.