While many are isolating with family and friends during the coronavirus outbreak, those who live alone are facing a unique set of challenges fighting feelings of loneliness, anxiety and depression by themselves.
But does “being alone” have to equal “feeling lonely?” Dr. Jen Hartstein, Yahoo Life Mental Health Contributor and practicing psychologist in New York City, says it doesn’t.
“‘Alone’ does not mean we are ‘lonely.’ That’s something we really all have to remember,” says Hartstein. “Some of us might feel lonely even when we’re home with our families because we just don’t relate to them the way we might want.”
Hartstein says there are questions we can ask ourselves if we’re concerned we might be experiencing feelings of loneliness.
