This concept has many definitions, proposed by different scientists who at one time dealt with this issue.
From a scientific point of view, loneliness is called the emotional state of a person, which has social and psychological prerequisites, characterized by the absence of close trusting relationships as a result of forced or voluntary social isolation, which has psychological reasons.
The philistine definition explains the essence of this concept by the detachment of a person and an unrealized need for communication due to the lack of opportunities or desire.
Loneliness levels
How can you divide feelings of loneliness into levels? There are several concepts to answer this question. Considered separately:
isolation, which may be of the character of a hermit of its own free will, or it may be compulsory;
the privacy that people prefer when they need a break from those around them.
Other levels of loneliness are:
Psychological. Most often, its causes are personal characteristics, internal conflicts that do not allow to fully realize the need for communication;
Physical. Feeling the absence of another living creature nearby;
Social. It is characterized by the absence, for any reason, of the relationship between a person and the social environment in which he is. At the same time, both the person himself and the society can initiate loneliness.
Situational - a short-term phenomenon that manifests itself in the presence of any events that have come out of the influence of a person;
Chronic loneliness, when a person cannot improve relationships with people for a long period.
Loneliness is also divided into stages according to the strength of the existing relationship:
Living alone. Accompanied by passivity, depression, dissatisfaction with oneself. At this level, a person resigns himself to fate and, in principle, excludes the likelihood of entering into a relationship with someone;
Random connections. They develop confusion and fear of not being liked in people;
Mutual self-disclosure. At this level, a person refuses to share his own problems and secrets, since he believes that he has no right to place his burden on others;
Finding a probable life partner. At this stage, doubts arise that this is a suitable person, the fear of being misunderstood and rejected appears;
Deepening intimate relationships. It is primarily associated with avoidance of sexual contact, which goes hand in hand with feelings of guilt and disappointment in a partner;
Long-term commitment. A person should live in stability, but at the same time he experiences a feeling of being cornered, fear of losing himself and freedom.