Extreme loneliness can be an incredibly debilitating and overwhelming emotion. It can feel like an abyss of emptiness that consumes an individual, making them feel isolated, alone, and unseen. It can cause a sense of being isolated in a crowd, even when surrounded by family and friends.
Extreme loneliness can be physically painful, as if an individual has been deprived of a necessary physical need, like food or water. It can cause one to feel like they are living in a vacuum, with no connection to the world around them. The silence can be deafening, and the isolation can be suffocating.
Extreme loneliness can also lead to a sense of sadness and despair that can be difficult to escape. It can make an individual feel worthless and disconnected from their own life, unable to find joy or purpose in anything. They may feel like they don't matter, or that their presence has no effect on the world around them.
In addition to the emotional pain, extreme loneliness can lead to physical ailments such as headaches, digestion problems, fatigue, and depression. It can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts.
The effects of extreme loneliness can be long lasting, but there is hope. Reaching out to family, friends, or a mental health professional can help to alleviate the pain and find new meaning and purpose in life. Developing healthy coping skills, such as self-care and mindfulness, can also help to alleviate the feeling of loneliness and create a sense of belonging.