If you feel lonely, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey published by Gallup, about one in every four adults worldwide report experiencing loneliness. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted this issue as an epidemic in a landmark report published last year — emphasizing the urgent need to address global social wellbeing both in the report and in a subsequent interview with The Guardian.

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“People began to tell me they felt isolated, invisible, and insignificant,” Murthy wrote in his report. “Even when they couldn’t put their finger on the word ‘lonely,’ time and time again, people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, from every corner of the country, would tell me, ‘I have to shoulder all of life’s burdens by myself,’ or ‘[If] I disappear tomorrow, no one will even notice.’”

The physical toll of loneliness is significant. Extensive research shows that feelings of loneliness can increase risks of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and even Alzheimer’s disease, potentially leading to premature death. Murthy warns that declining social connections will negatively impact spaces like schools and workplaces, reducing productivity and engagement that is integral to a functioning society. “We have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis,” he emphasized.

Egypt has witnessed its own loneliness crisis. A recent comprehensive study examining global loneliness trends among adolescents from 28 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas revealed that Egypt experienced one of the most significant spikes in perceived loneliness — from 7.9% in 2006 to 14.3% in 2011 — almost doubling within five years. More recent statistics mirror global findings — a quarter of the population experiences loneliness. The authors attribute the increase to “social unrest,” which can negatively impact social cohesion, and to “a rapid increase in social media use, [which] has been associated with feelings of loneliness.” A 2021 study published in the Egyptian Journal of Health Care conducted on elderly Egyptians showed that most of those suffering loneliness were men around the age of 71 — over half of them were widowed.

Zooming in: Egyptians are vulnerable to loneliness during periods of social or cultural change. The absence of close-knit communities leading to loneliness isn’t a new concept, and has been observed since the 1970s, starting with sociologist Robert S. Weiss’ Loneliness: The Experience Of Emotional And Social Isolation. Countries like Egypt that traditionally value cohesive connections within families and societies may feel a greater sense of loneliness and loss in the face of a global decline in community and social connections due to increased technology use, insufficient time spent with family, and being overworked.

Loneliness isn’t always easy to spot. Loneliness often manifests subtly through various symptoms: chronic stress, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, excessive screen time, neglect of health, and emotional exhaustion. Some people experience loneliness even in social settings, while others completely withdraw from social interaction.

Finding solutions: Research published in the Social Science & Medicine Journal suggests several effective coping strategies to manage loneliness. After acknowledging the issue, many find relief through spirituality, intentional solitude, and self-healing practices. Physical activity and social engagement can also boost happiness and self-esteem, helping combat loneliness in the long term.

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