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What is the difference between isolation and loneliness?

305 Answers
Last Updated: 08/30/2021 at 7:36pm
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Top Rated Answers
Tinman0666
October 7th, 2018 7:54am
Isolation to me is removing myself from everyone and everything. Loneliness is what I feel. One is an act that is brought about by the other. I will many times try to isolate myself when I am feeling anxious or I am needing to center myself. When I feel lonely, I have to get away from everything and everyone. I feel lonely in crowds. Not because I feel inadequate, I am a very confident person all in all. It is just that when I am lonely, I feel like I need to get away from everyone so that I can get away from that feeling.
Anonymous
October 20th, 2018 1:58pm
Isolation is where you push yourself away from your friends, family and people who care and love for you. You spend a lot of time in your room and don't really get out much anymore. Your trapped inside, this could include being trapped inside your own mind. Loneliness is where you have no one to talk to about how you feel. Tend to bottle up your feelings and thoughts. No one to trust. All you want is someone to realise that you aren't ok and need a helping friend. You try to get out or surround yourself but nothing seems to work.
Helper567
November 2nd, 2018 5:01am
Isolation is the withdraw from interaction with others people while loneliness can just mean you feel distant but still interact. Also, with isolation you tend not to talk as much, you make less eye contact, and you do more things alone than in groups. On the other hand, with loneliness you seem sad more often (even though that can go with isolation as well) and tend to mope around as well. I really hope this helps and thourghly answered the question. If it didnt I'm always open to messages and will gladly talk more about it when I have the time.
EdSAB
November 12th, 2018 8:30am
The difference between isolation and loneliness...Well one can be isolated from other people but not feel lonely, because they can feel comfortable being alone. With loneliness, one can feel lonely even while surrounded by friends and family. It happens when they feel like no one can understand them and they just feel alone. However, people can be both, isolated and lonely. Most people gain comfort in the company of others and they don’t feel lonely with at least one other person. When they get isolated from everyone else, they feel lonely. That is how I would explain the difference between isolation and loneliness.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2018 3:12pm
Isolation means you want to be alone, you go away from everyone and refuse to stay with any other human being. You rather stay alone in your room then with your family in the living room, you don‘t go to party‘s anymore and you don‘t meet any more friends because you want to stay alone. You WANT to be alone, you don‘t want anyone else. It‘s your decision. But loneliness means you feel alone, you would love to have someone with you, friends or family, but they aren‘t there. Isolation: want to be alone Loneliness: want to have someone but you are alone
snowflakes
November 15th, 2018 4:44am
Loneliness is when you feel alone. You can feel alone even when you are surrounded by people. Isolation is having less number of people in contact. It's about number. So loneliness is about quality and about how and what we desire from our contacts. Isolation is about quantity. We can easily increase contacts to decrease isolation but loneliness needs to be working on relationship with these contacts. They are related as isolation can lead to loneliness and loneliness to isolation. It's important to work on both when we want to decrease them. It's important to be able to meet and speak to people. And it's also important to improve the quality of relationship with people.
Anonymous
December 26th, 2018 9:55am
Lonely: comes from the feeling of sadness, you may feel this when you’re homesick or miss a loved one, it can vary quite a lot. this feeling may happen even if you do have friends and a lot of family, as everyone feels lonely at some point whether you are young or old. Isolation: locking yourself in your room for days on end, or just not wanting to see anyone at all, not wanting to eat, chat or do anything especially if it concerns going out of your bedroom when you’d rather sit by yourself isolated in that cold dark room.
ingeniousPeace79
January 2nd, 2019 10:18am
In my dictionary, they are absolutely the same. The center of reference is different, that's all. I would add to the list, the word aloneness. 1. isolation is when you are focused either on your ego (very self absorbed) Or, when you are focused on some beliefs, that majority doesn't have, doesn't believe them. Both give isolation because the more differences there are between you and others, the more distance. It's natural law at work. Isolation, or degree of isolation, is given by the number of differences between you and other(s). 2. loneliness, is the same as point 1, but you crave the other's presence for some reason other is required, because you decided so. (like sex, relationship, communication etc) And the other is missing. Other can be a person or a thing or whatever. 3. Aloneness is best of all 3. You are preoccupied with Yourself, not your ego. You are aware of your ego, its frustrations (because maybe points 1 and 2) But You are learning from the state, You are Yourself, You are, You see, You invest in some goals that you have, You enjoy your presence, Your life, You create it, You know where You are going, and You know what You build, and why.
NordligSno
January 10th, 2019 3:32pm
Isolation may not necessarily cause loneliness. But loneliness usually causes isolation, due to the feelings of depression and demotivation. Loneliness is a state of mind or feeling of isolation, which can prevent you from spending time with loved ones or friends because you choose to be on your own or you find it hard to be in the presence of others, and instead, you hide away in your room/push them away. You can be in a huge crowd or with close friends and still be lonely. Isolation is when you don't have anyone or anything around you, it's a situation you can't control. It might be 'accidental' or it can be intended, such as if a friend group leaves you out of the loop.
Anonymous
January 12th, 2019 11:47pm
Isolation is literally being alone in a place. For example, being in a large room but no one in the room with you. However, loneliness is when being surrounded by a large or small amount of people, btut feeling you cannot talk to them or seek help to them. For example, a room full of people who are all talking and laughing you sitting in the middle of it yet not feeling the same as they do. The difference is when being isolated you are kiterally alone yet being lonely is even being in a massive group of friends yet feeling different.
radiantHoliday71
January 19th, 2019 8:13am
In my opinion, isolation is boundary set by ourselves for us distinguish 'our land' and 'other's land'. That you close the door for anyone about something particular you don't want other to ever touch it. Loneliness, also in my opinion, is one fact that tell us we lack of intimacy relationship with other people. It tells us non verbally reminding we need a person who close to us, someone we trust and love and those feeling are mutual. It does not necessarily require from a bunch of people instead one or two persons will be enough. In my limited subjective research on every day life, young adult (more or less 18-23), weigh this matter so much. I don't know why exactly at the same time I wish they are aware ability to choose where the boundary must be applied.
Anonymous
February 9th, 2019 7:23pm
Isolation depicts a level of forced singularity, be it chosen or enforced. However loneliness doesn't mean you are alone. You can have the whole world at your feet, or be surrounded by people who love and care for you, yet you can still feel overwhelming loneliness. I often think of it like this - If im isolated it can be because im sick, i need my own space, im reflecting or for some reason i have been closed off from the rest of the world; while I could be at a part of 100+ guests and feel loneliness that ive never felt before.
thoughtfulPillow12
February 17th, 2019 12:52am
Isolation is a state, a state of being separated from humans or human contact, and loneliness is a feeling. One maybe physically isolated without feeling lonely, or reversely, be surrounded by people, yet feeling very lonely. There can be overlaps between the two terms, too, and hence we also have the term "emotional isolation." Generally speaking, such is the case, but of course since "isolation" carries a more negative connotation than "aloneness" even though "aloneness" also points to a state, "isolation" can be more closely associated with "loneliness" than "aloneness" is. "Isolation" seems to also imply separation, perhaps unnatural, while "aloneness" simply means being by oneself.
moonstory
February 17th, 2019 7:40pm
Isolation is more of an action, loneliness is a feeling. You can feel lonely in a room full of people, isolation doesn't have to be a concious choice, but has something to do with your actions. Several mental illnesses result in isolation, often involuntarily or the victim is so lost in their on world of grief that they are unable to let anyone in. It's important to have people you can confide in. You don't even have to talk about anything if you don't feel like it. Sometimes not being alone already helps. Don't be scared to ask for help. You deserve it. xx
NeleghsTreehouse
March 10th, 2019 5:32am
Isolation would be a situation when one cannot share activities with others because of technical issues with the means of connection. Isolated people would be for instance ones leaving in remote places and without cars, people with hearing and talking disabilities, people who don't speak the local language, or in a more subtle way people without peers sharing similar constraints and / or life goals and / or values. Loneliness would be the feeling one experiences when the situation of isolation prevents vital social needs from being met (such as our needs for empathy, being understood, feeling useful to others, being recognized ...) leading to suffering and distress.
Anonymous
March 23rd, 2019 1:33am
Isolation is being alone and closing yourself away from people and you don't see or talk to anyone at all so you become isolated from other people, this can be very bad for someone's mental health cause most people need human interactions and see other people to be happy. But loneliness can be felt even when you're at a family gathering or in a crowd of people, you're there and you can talk to other people but you don't feel close with them so you feel alone or left out, this can be because of social anxiety or not being able to connect with anyone, and this can also lead to a lot of mental issues but it's not as dangerous as isolation.
Anonymous
April 17th, 2019 3:53pm
Isolation is when because of distance or other barriers you are separated from other people. Loneliness on the other hand is the feeling a lack of meaningful connection with other people. When I was growing up my family lived quite remotely. We were physically isolated from other people. However I had good relationships with my siblings so I wasn't lonely. When I was older my family moved to live just outside a large city. We were no longer Isolated from other people. However my siblings grew up and left for collage and though I was now surrounded by people I felt quite lonely for a time until I began to make new friends.
organticPup53
April 18th, 2019 5:32pm
isolation is by your own will,when you isolate yourself by your own will. however loneliness is never desired.Loneliness is not the same as social isolation. People can be isolated (alone) yet not feel lonely. People can be surrounded by other people, yet still feel lonely. Loneliness is a subjective feeling experienced when there is a difference between an individual's felt and ideal levels of social relationships.
Anonymous
April 25th, 2019 9:15am
Isolation is referred to be that particular situation when a person does not have anybody or thing around. This may be caused deliberately, for instance, when someone chooses to spend some time in a place where not a single person is there or when a person is kept in a place where not many people is allowed throughout the day, for instance, in healthcare institutes, etc. A person may be found isolated when he or she has been left out of a group or similar situation and is left to spend time on his/her own. Loneliness is more of a state of the mind of a person who is actually spending on his own despite having family and friends around. When a person finds it difficult to accept the presence of people around him or her and chooses to be on their own, this is called loneliness. Loneliness is an extremely difficult state of mind which can make a person feel depressed and demotivated. Nothing will appear attractive or good enough for a person in such a situation. Isolation and loneliness are two different situations and should be dealt with accordingly. There can be situations when a person is required to spend some time on his own to calm himself or herself down after having been through an extremely difficult phase in life. Herein, isolating oneself often helps. However, when it comes to loneliness, it is more often a self-chosen situation and it depends on the person whether he or she wants to continue being in that state of mind or not.
BlueLab
May 2nd, 2019 11:53pm
Isolation and loneliness often go hand-in-hand. Isolation is the physical or emotional distance from people. Not hanging out with friends, not seeing family often, not confiding in the people close to you, etc. Loneliness is the effect that isolation often has on the person. Loneliness is a psychological pain, that is intended to drive us to break isolation and therefore resolve the painful loneliness. This was used as a survival tactic in more primitive times when group workings were essential to survival. Nowadays, people often feel chronically lonely not for survival purposes (although as a remnant of this), but because ironically in the age of connection we are less connected than ever.
Anonymous
May 26th, 2019 1:06pm
When you isolate yourself, you are purposely making yourself alone and away from everyone else. If you are lonely, you don't have to be isolated. You could even feel lonely in the midst of a large crowd. It could mean that you are missing someone or that you need someone to hang out with. Being isolated to often could cause loneliness though because humans are meant to be social creatures, even for those who seem like they never talk or afraid of other people. They too need other people in their lives to help them keep their emotions up or maybe even to survive.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2019 3:35pm
Many people feel lonely in different conditions and situations. When I think of feeling lonely, what comes to mind is not being seen as your authentic self. This is why you can feel lonely when you are both alone and in a crowd of people. Loneliness can feel like not having enough people in your life that support you and treat you kindly. Sometimes when we are lonely, we reach out for anyone, even those who may not be good for us. Isolation, to me, feels more like a behavior than a feeling. Isolation is the action of removing yourself or keeping yourself away from others. This can be done on purpose or subconsciously. You may not even realize you are isolating yourself from others. They are similar situations, feeling lonely and misunderstood can cause someone to isolate themselves, and feeling isolated will make someone feel lonely. So it becomes a visions cycle.
BraveWings116
July 31st, 2019 5:45pm
Isolation means that you are alone, separated from other people. It occurs outside your body. Loneliness, on the other hand, is an internal state. It is a feeling. Isolation is not inherently negative on its own. Sometimes you need to be alone for awhile to recharge, especially if you are an introvert. However, when human beings, or other animals, are isolated from human contact for too long, we experience loneliness, which is a horrible and painful feeling. So, in essence, isolation is the state of being alone, while loneliness is the feeling of sadness we experience when we have been alone (or feel like we are alone) for too long. Isolation can cause loneliness, but individuals can also feel lonely when among other people. This usually happens when the person does not feel connected to the other people they are around or when they feel like the other people do not or could not understand their feelings or situation.
heartcommunicator
August 1st, 2019 8:30am
Isolation is when you have been separated from the community. Sort of like a pariah. Isolation can be when you have chosen to separate from others for reasons such as social anxiety. Isolation can also result from being forced out of a community, maybe because you do not "fit in" or in other words do not follow the norms. A result of isolation is loneliness. Loneliness is an emotion when you are surrounded by everyone but still feel that you are alone. It is like screaming into a void. You scream so loud, but no one hears you. Loneliness is tiresome and it is important to seek help for it.
EmmaKay22
August 3rd, 2019 6:06pm
I believe isolation is a choice. Sometimes we isolate ourselves to heal from an experience or to reboot. I know after understanding how some of my closest relationships were indeed toxic, I found I chose to isolate myself and my young family. For example, I chose to have Thanksgiving at home versus with extended family because I wanted peace. I also isolated myself after my surgery to remove cancer. I needed that time to reboot and recharge my inner and new outer being. Loneliness on the other hand, is an emotion we feel. I believe we can feel lonely even when we have a crowd of people surrounding us. Loneliness enters my life unexpectedly, as it does everyone. It’s usually when I feel misunderstood or unsupported. Loneliness, I believe is a temporary feeling from within and it’s presence can only be determined by the one who is experiencing it.
DeadwoodJawn
August 9th, 2019 2:23pm
Isolation sounds like a lack of a social circle as well as a long term issue. Could be self-imposed or happening as a result of situational variables. I feel like this indicates a true, hard statement that not a lot of people are around in the midst of suffering right now. Whereas.. Loneliness could be a need for romantic attention or, once again, social attention. However, you could have many people around you and still feel loneliness. I'd say this is indicative of the 'wrong' people being around you. It isn't always a personal issue. It just might mean you need people who are more suited to your needs or personality.
Anonymous
August 15th, 2019 6:06pm
Isolation in many ways is willingly. When someone is isolated they are choosing to be left alone. Loneliness is a feeling you get when you desperately feel unnoticed. If someone is isolated they need a listener to reach out to them because they’ve most likely gave up on a social appearance. Someone lonely are trying to climb out of this hole of their lost self dignity and can’t find a way out because no one around them are reaching out and they feel empty. In this situation there needs to be someone willing to listen and are on the ready and are understanding to anything this individual may say.
Anonymous
September 13th, 2019 4:46pm
Isolation is when you keep yourself from people you seem to never talk to people and keep yourself to a small group of friends and you never want to be around anyone you usually want to be in your room alone and Loneliness is when you feel like no one wants to talk to you or be near you. you feel lonely and you feel like people forgot about you and you want to be notice but your to scared to talk to anyone because people can be mean or they might seem mean and horrible but I get that
Anonymous
September 17th, 2019 12:17pm
Loneliness is a subjective feeling.Social isolation is when we choose to get limitated with the people we get in contact. are both feeling we don;t like .As human being we are designed to develop skills to socialize .,Feeling lonely is something you can experience even if you are surrounded by other persons . No matter the place you are in a certain moment . Are 2 different things that can go togheter sometimes if we don;t manage very well each of it . It's about choice sometimes and decisions
Anonymous
October 25th, 2019 12:45am
Isolation is the physical act of being alone. Being isolated from people can cause loneliness but it also can not cause loneliness. Loneliness can also occur without isolation. We can be in the presence of other people and still experience loneliness. Loneliness, by definition, is an emotional state. We can see loneliness as feeling alone. We can see loneliness as being separate from others. We can also see loneliness as feeling empty. Loneliness can also cause isolation. We may have a lot of people around us, but because we are experiencing the emotional state of loneliness, we may choose to resort to the physical state of becoming isolated.