Loneliness: America’s Silent Crisis – Psychology Today

Here​ are the relevant facts from the provided ​text:

* ⁢ ⁢ Loneliness‍ Epidemic: A loneliness epidemic existed before the 2020 pandemic, as declared by⁢ former ‍Surgeon General Vivek ‌Murthy.
*​ Impact ​of Loneliness: Loneliness negatively ‍impacts mental and physical health and increases‍ mortality risk.
* Causes of ⁢Loneliness:

⁤ * Decline ⁣of community structures and activities.
⁤ * ⁣Shifts in work and living situations (e.g., working from home).
* Increased technology use (social media, smartphones).
​ * Stigma surrounding loneliness (perceived as‍ a weakness).
⁤ * Widespread grief and worry.
* Technology & Mental ⁢Health: Excessive social media use ⁣(“doomscrolling”) can lead to increased anxiety, ‍depression, irritability, helplessness, and​ insomnia.
* Adolescents⁢ & Loneliness: Adolescents are particularly ‌vulnerable to loneliness. contributing factors include:
* Developmental shifts (reliance on peers, social pressures, identity ‌formation).
⁣ * Difficulty expressing feelings.
* ‍ Low self-esteem.
* Suggestibility.
* COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened loneliness,particularly‌ through increased screen⁤ time and‌ reduced​ socialization among adolescents.