Is loneliness the same as depression?
No, loneliness and depression are not the same thing, but they are related:
Loneliness
A feeling that you don’t have close personal relationships that make you feel secure, comforted, and content. People who are lonely may:
Have more depressive symptoms
Be less happy and satisfied
Be more pessimistic
Have negative expectations of social interactions
Be more vulnerable to health problems like heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline
Depression
A distressing and disabling condition that can reduce your quality of life. Symptoms include:
Continuous low mood or sadness
Feeling hopeless and helpless
Having low self-esteem
Feeling tearful
Feeling guilt-ridden
Feeling irritable and intolerant of others
Having no motivation or interest in things
Finding it difficult to make decisions
Some factors that can cause depression include:
Stressful events
Personality
Family history
Pregnancy and giving birth
Menopause
Alcohol and drugs
Illness