How to combat loneliness, and how it differs from depression

Two new studies suggest older adults are more lonely than they used to be. The American Psychological Association found on average that reported loneliness began to increase after age 75. But loneliness is an issue for all generations. Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma, who consults on depression, anxiety disorders, and work-life balance issues, joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the findings.

Each weekday morning, "CBS This Morning" co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil deliver two hours of original reporting, breaking news and top-level newsmaker interviews in an engaging and informative format that challenges the norm in network morning news programs. The broadcast has earned a prestigious Peabody Award, a Polk Award, four News & Documentary Emmys, three Daytime Emmys and the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. The broadcast was also honored with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Check local listings for "CBS This Morning" broadcast times.

[lowjamz]

I’m lonely at 43. Single and no real friends. I like how he says get out there and connect. That’s easier said than done when you have Social Anxiety. And the people you are trying to form relationships with. Only seem interested in being acquaintances.

[hayleyscomet]

Boy I got a jump start. I’m lonely at the ripe old age of 22.

[TheMaxx]

"Out there and connect" Hello??? I try that all the time. I go to clubs, invite people to go do fun activities, try to talk to people and 99% of the time I get ignored or in the 1% blown off.

[justinebourke-ihzh]

I've suffered crippling loneliness and depression since childhood. 51 now alone, ill and can't even look after myself. Loneliness kills.. slowly and so painfully

[TonyStark-jgww]

Loneliness ruined my youth... I am 27... I feel hopeless... I don't want to see a doctor... I just want to die and take a rebirth with a fresh start..

[aisforapple]

Revealing vulnerability to people is too high a price to pay! They eventually use your vulnerability against you.

[uranium]

3:05 I disagree with what he says here. I felt more lonely when I was going to school every day than when I’ve been at home for months at a time during quarantine. If I had to guess, I’d say the reason might be because I see everyone else around me talking to their friends and forming bonds or whatever but I just can’t no matter how hard I try. In this segment it seems like the news people (other than the psychiatrist, who actually knew what she was talking about) were trying to frame it as “you’re lonely because you’re online all the time instead of interacting face-to-face, ” but saying “it’s easy not to be lonely, just interact face to face” is almost like saying “it’s easy not to be homeless, just get a house.”

[nikolapetrovic]

I've been alone my entire adult life. Never had friends, no wife, no kids, no girlfriends. Being alone is just...me, even if I could I wouldn't know how to live any other way.

[PaulineRaabe_]

Finally somebody that makes sense. A very intelligent woman. I'm 60 the kids are gone, family's gone, friends are busy with their own lives. I feel like I choose to live alone because I've been hurt so many times. The best buddies I've ever had are my two cats. Going to the doctor's is my social life. I will say depression is seriously setting in.

[MrMartellSincere]

Living alone with depression and anxiety as well being on disability is pure pain 😢

[bunsenn]

Knowing I’m not alone in feeling this way actually makes it feel even worse. Because I’d never wish this experience on another human being, and knowing there are so many others out there going through it just brings sadness.

[gamingwithkev]

Please. Younger people suffer with loneliness even more

[moeezahmad]

i've always felt lonely, even my parents never really cared for me, never felt loved once in my life, its just how it is for a lot of us.

[Justine-fsux]

Im lonely alone and lonely in company. But i am mostly isolated. It is killing me. The anxiety is through the roof for the longest time

[kysstaylor]

I dont know how to make friends or be social...I'm always lonely and alone....I hate myself for it...ppl start to dislike me for it

[MicahBratt]

I have this thought constantly in the back of my mind that life is temporary and everything is temporary. And it’s really made it hard to connect. People are talking about this or that, gossiping, and I’m trying to wrap my head around what in the world are we doing here, and what is life

[MM-xcbt]

The USA is a country all about $$. If your income isn't high enough, you will be alone. Especially around the holidays.

[lilycat]

What does a single 63 year old female, never been married, no kids. Total lonliness and separation from everyone. Still working, but alone at work. My family is gone (dead). It sucks! So what help is there for a lonely introvert?

[JuneLynn]

I'm dealing with loneliness and depression for some time married ...I have no friends and most of my family is gone....my husband and I both have health hardest thing for me is getting out of bed everyday....the isolation is killing me....I would love to have just one friend I could talk

[dannovack]

You know how they have all the answers that aren’t in the situation.