Don't dream it's over.

Loneliness is driven by many different factors. Communication problems, racial and cultural intolerance, and environmental influences can all increase one’s chance of experiencing loneliness. But, research has shown that genetics also plays a part on loneliness. A study was conducted in 1994 and 1995 on 1,116 pairs of 18 year-old same-sex twins in the U.K. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not there was a connection between social isolation and loneliness, how the two relate to depression, and whether genetics influences them. Participants reported their levels of of social isolation, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. The results concluded that young adults who socially isolate themselves don’t necessarily experience loneliness.

However, those who experienced loneliness often struggle with depression, mainly because the same gene influences the two. Social isolation is when one has limited social connections and interactions. But, loneliness is when one feels socially and emotionally disconnected from those around them. This is why someone can experience loneliness when they’re in a room full of people, while another person who seeks solitude can find contentment in being alone. The study has concluded that no one specific gene predisposes you to loneliness, but rather, it may be influenced by several genes. Similar to the complex biological makeup of loneliness, there is not a single, clear-cut answer for curing loneliness. However, there are effective strategies to approach it. Psych2Go shares with you 5 ways to cope with loneliness:

1. Normalize and accept your loneliness.

Director John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago’s Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience has been studying loneliness for over 20 years. He discovered that loneliness is on the rise. The rate increased from 11-20% in the 1970s and 1980s to 40-45% in 2010. These statistics show that you are not alone when struggling with loneliness, but like most mental health issues, there is still a strong stigma attached to it…