Social Isolation

Does social isolation directly affect health
In recent years, with the development of science and technology, which lead to a revolution in our lifestyle, network, and new media, the emergence of new communication tools, has greatly changed our traditional way of life. In addition, with the rapid development of social economy, many people are busy working and have to work away from home. Although the Internet narrows the physical distance between people, in which way people can contact with family and friends anytime and anywhere, it makes people emotionally further. In my opinion, communication becomes more convenient than before, but it makes a lack of the most important part of feelings. There is an argument that social isolation could cause a negative influence on people’s health. This essay will evaluate this issue with reference to information from some scientists’ theory and experiments and make a conclusion that social isolation does adversely impact individual health, particularly in mental problems, behavioural problems and physical damage.

The first argument for this essay is that social isolation has a detrimental effect on our mental health. First of all, with the development of economics, people are not confined to meet physical health and pay more attention to their mental or psychological condition than before. According to Kawachi and Berkman (2001), social isolation and reduced mental health can lead to depressive symptoms, such as smaller social relationship, fewer friends, and reduced feeling of social support. For example, people, who are defined as absence of close friends, have an increasing danger of major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (Teo 2012). In contrast, some beneficial activities, such as emotional support, companionship and opportunities for meaningful social engagement and social networks, have an influence on depressive (VicHealth 2005). Having a good social...