Content provided by British Council
[1] Some people withdraw, consciously or unconsciously, from social interactions. Sometimes it is just a phase that can help you recharge your social battery. If it is prolonged, however, it can be harmful to your health. People naturally need time for themselves, and it is perfectly normal to keep to yourself a couple of evenings a week to pursue hobbies or rest, according to Dr Tatjana Reichhart. She is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and resilience coach.
[2] “If withdrawal is self-chosen and you deliberately use the time for yourself, we wouldn’t call it social withdrawal, but rather ‘me time’”, Reichhart noted. This can help you replenish your energy by recharging your mind and body. She said it is problematic, however, if you are often too exhausted to pursue hobbies or get together with friends. “This isn’t quality time and generally won’t restore energy levels,” she said.
[3] “Social withdrawal can be an avoidance strategy to steer clear of negative feelings,” said Klaus Nuyken, a psychologist. For instance, someone might decline an invitation out of fear of being judged. While avoidance tamps down fear in the short term, it remains and grows stronger over time. You can fall into a vicious circle. When you withdraw from social interactions, you miss out on positive feedback, which, as Nuyken warned, can reinforce the tendency to withdraw.
[4] “Social withdrawal is closely linked to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders, and is typically an illness symptom,” he said. In the case of depression, social withdrawal is largely due to the accompanying listlessness and loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. Avoidance plays the main role in anxiety disorders but can also result from a traumatic experience or be a symptom of certain personality disorders.
[5] At first, affected people usually don’t realise they are retreating from social engagement. “This is why it’s important to reflect,” Reichhart said. “For example, how satisfied and refreshed are you before and after an evening alone in front of the TV set?” Then you can make a mental comparison: how would you feel after spending the evening with a friend or pursuing a hobby?
[6] Taking small steps is the best way to start socialising again. “Instead of going to a party, you could meet up with just one, very familiar person, or you could first send a message,” Nuyken said. And instead of inviting someone over to your home, you could meet in a cafe. This way you can better control how long the get-together lasts.
[7] Something else that can help you break out of your self-imposed isolation is what Nuyken calls coexistence. By this he meant meetings during which you don’t have to talk to each other the whole time, such as going to the cinema, and “experiencing something together not involving deep conversation”.
[8] No matter how you go about it, it is important to spend time with others again, Reichhart said, noting that loneliness is a risk factor for many illnesses, not only mental ones. “We’re social beings, and relationships with other people are our lifeblood,” she said.
Source: dpa, October 10
