Loneliness Test: Are You Feeling Lonely?

Humans are wired to be social creatures. We crave connections with others, and we need these connections to survive and thrive. When we don’t feel like our need for social connection and relationships is met, we feel isolated from the group or lonely, which can have significant effects on our health.

The Loneliness Test

Take this fast and free quiz to help you determine whether or not you may be struggling with feelings of loneliness:

Who Is This Loneliness Quiz For?

This quiz is for anyone who feels like they may be experiencing loneliness. It can help you better understand your feelings and determine if you may benefit from taking steps to help you feel more connected to others. Each question relates to life experiences common to having feelings of loneliness.

What To Know About Loneliness 

Loneliness can be described as a feeling or state of being. It’s more than being by yourself or without the company of others. Someone can be surrounded by people, even friends and family, and still feel lonely because they feel disconnected or like they aren’t getting their emotional needs met.

Research shows that loneliness can have a negative impact on health. In response to concerns about loneliness in the United States, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory aimed at solutions to help people feel more connected to society and their community. In an 81-page report, the US Surgeon General’s Advisory calls loneliness a public health concern and cites data that about half of US adults report experiencing loneliness. The report also includes findings from a study that when asked how emotionally close they felt to others, less than half (39%) of US adults said they felt very connected to others.

Causes of Loneliness

There’s no one cause of loneliness. Everyone experiences the feeling differently. 

One reason people experience loneliness is because social connections are lost. This can happen when people move to a new location, experience the death of a partner or loved one, become isolated from a social circle, or feel a lack of connection with the people in close proximity.

In younger generations, social media usage has become a contributor to people’s loneliness. A survey by YouGov found that Millennials—a generation more likely to use social media heavily—are more likely to feel lonely than Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Research also suggests that people who use social media to maintain relationships feel lonelier than people who use social media for other reasons.

Loneliness vs. Being Alone

Some people enjoy solitude or alone time. It can provide space to reflect or recharge and be good for your mental health. You can be alone and not feel lonely. People who are alone but not lonely usually choose to have this alone time.

Health Risks of Loneliness

Loneliness has an impact on both mental and physical health. Research suggests loneliness as a potential risk factor for dementia, heart disease, and stroke in adults aged 50 and older. However, health risks from loneliness can affect people of all ages. These include:

• Increased risk of substance use
• Heart disease and stroke
• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Increased risk of suicide

You may feel like you're alone, but you're not. Loneliness is something all of us feel from time to time, Do your best to stay connected to friends and loved ones, don't be afraid to meet new people, and try to grow more comfortable asking for help from a trusted individual or therapist if you need it. Remember, even if it doesn’t seem that way, there are people who care and want to help.