Loneliness and Mental Illness

Human beings are social creatures.  Our closest animal counterparts by behavior are apes and group predators like wolves, both heavily interdependent societal animals.  We grow up by learning from our parents and peers, form close-knit, more-or-less permanent family groups, and make deep, satisfying, long-lasting friendships. Addiction and other mental disorders disturb and endanger our relationships, leaving many with problems feeling completely alone.  Mental health problems are threatening not just to the sufferer but to friends and family as well.  Some people notice the problems immediately and begin to drift away, for others it will take time – as they watch a friend slowly falling to pieces despite all the support they offer, they will feel powerless to salvage the relationship.  Being abandoned in this way leaves the addicted or mentally ill feeling resentment and shame, powerful triggering emotions for further self-destructive behavior, causing a cycle of anger, indignity, and loneliness. Family relationships ...