+++ If you are tormented by loneliness and thoughts of taking your own life, try to talk to other people about it. There are professional helplines where you can remain anonymous, e.g. the telephone counseling service. You can reach them free of charge around the clock on 0800 111 0 111 and 0800 111 0 222. You can find other helplines here: https://kompetenznetz-einsamkeit.de/e... +++ People don't like to talk about loneliness. And that's even though it affects not only older people, but also an increasing number of young people. Feeling lonely sometimes is basically "normal". But if the feeling of loneliness becomes chronic, it can be a dangerous psychological warning signal. In this Quarks episode, we show how many people are affected by loneliness and what it feels like for those affected. We also explain what you can do if you feel lonely. // Our chapters 00:00 - What does loneliness feel like? 02:07 - Loneliness: A feeling that is difficult to define 04:14 - More and more people feel lonely 07:18 - Can loneliness make you sick? 09:37 - What can you do about loneliness? Authors: Marie Eickhoff, Mike Schaefer, Linh Tran Realization: Ingo Knopf Camera & editing: Annalena Schumacher Graphics: Luisa Zanzani Editor: Lara Schwenner // Our sources [1] Entringer, Theresa (2022): Epidemiology of loneliness in Germany, KNE http://bit.ly/3YHM6nM [2] Quarks community call: https://bit.ly/3IdySKc What is loneliness? [3] Planet Wissen (2022): Loneliness - where it comes from and how it goes away http://bit.ly/3RNdAGm [4] Luhmann, Maike (2022): Definition and forms of loneliness http://bit.ly/3ljFXzP Measuring loneliness and data on loneliness: [5] Mund, Marcus (2022): Quantitative measurement of loneliness in Germany http://bit.ly/3xakT1F [6] Scientific Services (2021): Studies on the prevalence of loneliness in Germany and Europe https://bit.ly/3Ig4xuM [7] Entringer, Theresa; Kröger, Hannes: Still lonely and less satisfied https://bit.ly/3lkSfbj [8] Entringer, Theresa (2022): Epidemiology of loneliness in Germany, KNE http://bit.ly/3YHM6nM [9] Orth, Anja Katrin; Eyerund, Theresa (2019): IW Short Report 38/2019 https://bit.ly/3jU1heS Young people and loneliness: [10] German Youth Institute (2021): The situation of young people in the Corona crisis https://bit.ly/3DYCgWW [11] Andresen, Sabine et. al (2021): First results of the JuCo III study https://bit.ly/3DWM97t [12] Deutschlandfunk: http://bit.ly/3Idyz1T [13] NDR: http://bit.ly/3XfTFkN [14] Interview with loneliness researcher Susanne Bücker: http://bit.ly/3YHNpmH Health consequences of loneliness: [15] Bücker, Susanne (2022): The health, psychological and social consequences of loneliness, pages 8 - 17: https://bit.ly/3IfDFe0 Loneliness activates similar brain areas as physical pain: [16] Eisenberger et al ( 2012) https://bit.ly/3jQhhig [17] Eisenberger (2015) https://bit.ly/3DVL2oB Blood pressure levels rise: [18] Hawkley,LC et al (2010) https://bit.ly/3jONPcc Stress hormone Cortisol: [19] Cacioppo JT et al (2000) https://bit.ly/3HTjf9D Sleep problems: [20] Griffin, SC, (2020) https://bit.ly/3IgjzRb Cardiovascular diseases: [21] Hakulinen, C. et al (2018) https://bit.ly/3IdYuGV Immune system: [22] Jaremka, LM (2013) http://bit.ly/3DXRn2H Depression: [23] List of studies: Stöcker, Susanne, KNE (p. 18 f.) https://bit.ly/3JZnCmc Mortality risk: [24] Beutel, ME et al (2017) https://bit.ly/3XmJB9E [25] Achterbergh, L. et al (2020) http://bit.ly/3YHNR4n Unhealthier lifestyle: [26] Holt-Lunstad, J. (2015) https://bit.ly/3YD6PJF [27] Holt-Lunstad, J. (2010) https://bit.ly/40LJMhr What helps against loneliness: [28] Conversation with Dr. Matthias Reinhard http://bit.ly/3YD3wSx Cognitive behavioral therapy: [29] Masi CM (2011) https://bit.ly/3E0VFGD [30] Overview of several studies in the KNE Expertise, pp. 42-43: https://bit.ly/3IfDFe0 Vicious circle: [31] Käll, A. et al (2020) http://bit.ly/3JY6w8e [32] Overview of several studies on reinforcing interactions, p. 10 f.: https://bit.ly/3IfDFe0 [32] Krieger, Tobias; Seewer, Noemi (2022) Hogrefe Verlag, Göttingen: “Loneliness” // More on the subject of loneliness and depression do not necessarily belong together. You can find out what you should know about depression in this text and podcast: Quarks Daily Special Episode 38 - What you should know about depression --- Thanks for watching! Did you like the video? Then subscribe now to our official Quarks channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Quarks?sub_co... Also visit: https://www.quarks.de #Quarks on Instagram: / quarks.de / beautyquarks #loneliness #psychology #quarks