The loneliest people aren't those who lack social skills - they're the ones whose social skills are mismatched to their environment, like someone fluent in a language nobody around them speaks, which is why they can feel completely isolated in a room full of people - Silicon Canals

"Loneliness is a subjective experience, the gap between the connections you want and the connections you actually have. This distinction matters enormously."

"Social isolation increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30%, and poor social connection is linked to higher rates of heart disease, stroke, and dementia."

Loneliness is often misunderstood, with many assuming it affects only those lacking social skills. Research indicates that nearly half of American adults experienced loneliness before the pandemic, with significant health risks associated with social isolation. The U.S. Surgeon General has labeled loneliness a public health epidemic, emphasizing that it is a subjective experience defined by the gap between desired and actual connections. A study revealed that loneliness can stem from a mismatch between an individual’s social skills and their environment, rather than solely from poor social abilities.

Read at Silicon Canals