Loneliness imposed in the elderly: 7 possible psychological causes

Imposed loneliness is an increasingly common phenomenon in the Western world, the causes of which are very diverse.

Old age is a period of rest and happiness for many people, in which, after several decades hard work, we are allowed to withdraw from the world of work to fully live the rest of our life. life.

However, for many people this stage of life is the beginning of a period of imposed loneliness, an increasingly common phenomenon in societies around the world, which can be treated by professionals.

The imposed loneliness is a type of involuntary loneliness suffered by many elderly people and that is characterized by a feeling of social isolation, as well as loss in social relationships from day to day.

• Related article: "The 3 phases of old age, and their physical and psychological changes"

What psychological phenomena intervene in the loneliness imposed on the elderly?

There are many phenomena that intervene in the imposed loneliness experienced by some older people and that have a decisive influence on an emotional and psychological level. Here is a list of the most important ones.

1. Nostalgia for the past

Nostalgia is one of the most common feelings in people during the process of old age and in the long term it tends to become one of the main factors of loneliness in the individual.

Memories of a better past, real or idealized, tend to constantly flood the thoughts of older people and usually negatively influence on various personality markers, including self-esteem, extraversion, sociability, and a positive outlook on life in general.

Although this is not always the case, many older people enter a state of real or perceived loneliness at base of longing on a recurring basis for a past of happiness and fulfillment that no longer exists and that never To return to.

• You may be interested in: "Nostalgia: what is it, characteristics and functions of this feeling"

2. Loss of affective social ties

The loss of a partner, as well as family and friends during the elderly period is a of the main causes that increase the risk of real or perceived loneliness in people greater.

Perceived loneliness is often independent of the number of social contacts that can be followed maintaining in the current moment, as well as the number of people with whom one interacts in life everyday.

In other words, an elderly person who is in a residence with all kinds of care and professionals specialized in your health, as well as with other residents, you may continue to feel alone or socially isolated.

• Related article: "How to maintain a friendship, in 6 tips"

3. Grief processes that have not been overcome

In the same way, the processes of mourning for the death of their loved ones, which have not yet been overcome, also contribute to the elderly feeling alone and separated from society.

The loss of a loved one is a very painful process that can be faced in different ways depending on the person. In case of not facing correctly all the phases of the same in a satisfactory way, the affected person can go through a series of emotional and psychological affectations.

Older people usually go through several grieving processes in a short time, and in their case, these affectations or alterations can range from grief and exacerbated pain, up to daze, anger or other consequences that directly influence the emotional and physical health of the person.

• You may be interested in: "The 4 psychological changes in old age (memory, attention, intelligence, creativity)"

4. Difficulties meeting friends of youth and adulthood

It is evident that the third age is a stage where friends and family very important to the life of the woman are lost. person and as indicated, these recurrent deaths affect emotionally and can increase the feeling of loneliness.

For those friends who are still alive, it is often difficult to keep communicating due to advanced ages of both parties, and even more difficult is to meet in person to chat or get up to date.

5. Problems understanding new technologies

Many older people experience the daily challenge of using the ingredients on their own meats. new technologies for communicating with loved ones or doing household chores more elementals.

The recurrent failure to use new technologies, as well as the difficulty to understand how they work and profits, increases the feeling of loneliness in the person, a fact that negatively influences their health emotional.

6. Disconnection with the dominant generation

Another phenomenon that increases loneliness in older people is the disconnection they feel with the world modern and the abyss at all levels between his generation and the generations born in the decades later.

The new society is very different from the one they knew and its changes at a cultural and social level often generate feelings of misunderstanding, disorientation, helplessness and loneliness.

• Related article: "What is Cultural Psychology?"

7. Changing habits in retirement

The lives of retired or pensioned people usually change radically overnight and the change in habits in the new period also usually has a negative impact on the person.

The lack of work schedules and daily responsibilities often cause emotional disturbances and psychological factors in the elderly, a fact that also contributes to increasing their loneliness in the day to day day.

This phenomenon can be reversed by recovering a regime of activities and occupations throughout the week, with which the person feels useful again and continues to maintain a daily routine.

• You may be interested in: "Counseling in retirement: how does it work and what are its benefits?"

Are you looking for professional psychological support?

At Adhara Psychology we offer psychotherapy services for people of all ages, based on the experience provided by more than a decade of professional experience.