Do I Need Mental Health Help Because I Prefer To Be Alone

Is social interaction necessary for good mental health? I prefer to spend time alone.

Not necessarily,You seem to be an introvert, and introverts get their energy back from spending time alone, you most likey prefer watching movies, reading books or playing video games than going out.It is perfectly fine.Of course it would be good if you would have a small circle of friends, having someone you can rely on and talk with is always useful.

What are the mental effects of being alone and not interacting with many people for long periods of time?

Probably the most common effect I have witnessed is an enhanced apprehension towards potential social situations which could lead to agoraphobia and/or severe social anxiety, but I would say this would have to be an individual who already had some mental irregularities, or an individual that was dealing with some tough thoughts and feelings. Most of the hermits I know do prefer to be alone and don't require social stimulation to feel satisfied….on the contrary I have seen a severely autistic 9 year old boy suffer outrageously from lack of social interaction with peers. I would assume this is a case by case situation.

How important is face to face social interaction to mental health, and what do you recommend for a person who feels isolated or alone?

There are a lot of different reasons for the feeling of social isolation; some real, some imagined.Love and connection is extremely important to mental health, moreso than just saying hello to the butcher. However love and connection does become more interrupted with preexisting mental health issues. Mental health can really impact on relationships, so the love relationships we have tend to be the unconditional ones or none at all.Friendships may be hard to negotiate. People who have been abused have trust issues and seem to have self fulfilling prophesies in that respect. But even just joining a book club can be enough, a meet up hiking group, or general social group. These are groups you don’t have to talk anything about your health in any way. They are face value groups and can be a good outlet.Then there can be mental health groups. These can be online on in real life. I’m cautious about a whole lot of sick people getting together but if there is strong facilitation I think it can work.It is really important to get out of the house, to get out amongst the world so you are not caught up in your head, ruminating. I live near theme parks. I have bought yearly tickets so I can go on rollercoasters at least once a month to put me in the present moment and stop thinking about the things that depress me. It’s not social but it is kinda living. I also have massages once a week. That is not social, but I think physical touch once a week is good for me. There are different ways we can feel part of the world without it being sitting uncomfortably with people we feel awkward with - that is actually counterproductive, because we tell ourselves we are inadequate and beat ourselves up.Find what you are comfortable with. You might like reptiles and find a reptile group in your area or genealogy; find people to share your interests so the focus is not on you, you are sharing information and discussing your area of interest. Even Facebook groups can fulfill that. Connection doesn’t always have to be in person but it is to have some in person time built into your life.

Can someone be asocial/unsocial (avoiding social interaction and prefer being alone) and not have some kind of disorder or disability?

Humans are considered to be social mammals. There are some who like to live a life of a hermit, alone, happy in their own company, they interact with the environment instead, such as animals, critters, flowers etc. if someone prefers to stay asocial/unsocial it is NOT a disorder or disability. Disorders and disability are medical words only a medical expert such as a physician who performs special tests can determine and label a person. so to answer this question, absolutely someone can prefer to stay in their shell, in their own surroundings, aloof, stay away from crowds, avoid social interaction.I have friends who prefer to be alone only to avoid unnecessary conflict and fuss. Psychologists often throw them in a personality category of introverts. Introverts like to be alone, but then they enjoy company of like-minded people. i consider “lonely” people to be of higher intelligence, they read a lot, and seek intellectuals, and when they interact with people who are interested in trivial things, or are of lesser intelligence, they tend to withdraw, stay in their own world.people who like to keep in touch with their introvert/asocial/unsocial loved ones, should try to keep a look out for any signs such as attempt of self harm, or ideas of harming others, instead of fussing over them, try engaging them to one to one activities, such as playing chess, having a quiet dinner for 2, going to a museum, or an art gallery, or just watch a movie at home.

Do people with mental illnesses tend to end up alone and unloved?

No.But people who become their mental illnesses—who allow their mental illnesses to define them and limit them—have difficulty making connections.I have severe depression. Most days lately, all I want to do is stay in bed and cry and beg someone to comfort me. But that’s not how this shit works.I go out anyway. Not everyday, because some days, I can’t .But I try. I try to make connections and love my friends and ask for help when I need it.I fail innumerably and catastrophically. But I try every day to be a better person, and the people that see that in me love me.So no, mental illness is not a condemnation of loneliness or lack of love. It might make it harder, but if you’re a good person, someone will see it eventually. It just might take some time and some effort.

Is social isolation always a sign of a mental illness?

Mental health problems are different to physical illnesses. They usually work on a scale, not as an “either or” phenomenon. Take regular flu for example. Most of your life you don't have it at all. Then you get a virus, your body fights it for a week, gets rid of it and you don't have flu anymore.Mental health issues don't work like that. There is something called subclinical levels of mental health problems. People may show symptoms of mental health issues to a smaller degree. For example, you may show small symptoms of depression without being classed as a depressed person. Imagine if everyone had a tiny bit of flu, all their life. Most people would not have any problems - having only few virus cells is not enough to do anything to your body. It's only when the virus gets out of hand, multiplies to the point where it starts being problematic in your everyday life. The strategy should then be to monitor your flu cells, making sure they stay at a healthy point you are comfortable with.It's beneficial to view mental health that way. Some people are very social, spending most of their time in a group. Other people spend most of their time on their own. It's not a sign of a mental problem in itself. It is only a problem if it disrupts your everyday life.Being socially isolated is also not something you completely get rid of. There are times we are with others, there are times we are alone. Finding a balance that works for your is the important part. If you feel you spend too much time on your own, then you should adjust the balance towards being more social.Adjusting the balance sounds easy on paper. In practise, it takes time and effort. I personally think the benefits are worth it. Adressing your issues before they take control of your life is a very efficient way of feeling good consistently.