- When we feel isolated, disconnected, and lonely, we try to protect ourselves. In that mode, we want to connect, but our brain is attempting to override [[Connection]] with self-protection. That means less [[Empathy]], more [[Defensiveness]], more numbing, and less sleeping. ==Unchecked loneliness fuels continued loneliness by keeping us afraid to reach out==. ([Location 2814](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09DTJM18Q&location=2814)) [[Understanding Loneliness Stigma]] ## See Also - links to [[Source - Social capital by wikipedia.org|Social capital]] and [[Bridging and Bonding Social Capital]] - [[Self Determination Theory]] has loneliness (connection) as a key aspect of [[Motivation]]. Less connection = less motivation. ## Other areas to develop further • Changes in sleep, eating, substance use • Risk-averse or risk-seeking behaviours • Impact on self-care and help-seeking • Social withdrawal or hypervigilance to social threat • Disruption of [[Trust (emotion)|trust]], [[empathy]], and relational skills • Feedback loop: loneliness begets further [[Disconnection]]