What Social Isolation Does To Your Brain – How To Undo The Damage

Did you know that social isolation can actually cause your brain to shrink? Watch this video to learn more about the effects of social isolation and what you can do to undo the changes.

References
Stern Y. Cognitive reserve in ageing and Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol. 2012;11(11):1006-1012. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70191-6

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[Ashley-ogti]

I love being alone. I purposely isolate myself, although I recognize it may not be healthy; I think it goes beyond being an introvert, depression, and anxiety (generalized/social). It's literally a way of life and not many people can understand it.

[taniastunes]

having social anxiety from a young age really messes you up, more than people realize. prayers and action we can all get through this

[patricianewyork]

I love being alone. I enjoy being around people in small doses. As long as you keep your mind active by reading and learning new things, I think you'll be fine.

[themobilemage]

Whatever damage is allegedly done by being isolated can't be worse than what evil humans will do if you give them a chance.

[vidthrashtilldeath]

I didn't choose to be lonely, but society is full of bullies and narccsistes that socializing has become a nightmare.

[ferehj]

TRUST IS A BIG FACTOR. If people weren’t so darn untrustworthy most people wouldn’t isolate themselves from others.

[broadcasttttable]

I don't go out of my way to avoid people; I enjoy authentic interaction. But if I have to change who I am when around them in order to be accepted I'd rather be alone.

[branevans]

There are many commenters that are explaining "why" they isolate or the reasons they don't want to socialize. This presentation is not about why you isolate or the reasons you may feel lonely, it's about how to heal or regenerate your brain when you're experiencing isolation for long periods of time.

[NarutoShino]

I have more damage caused by people. Prefer to stay alone, have my own peace. People traumatized my head terribly. Since I'm alone I feel much healthier mentally and physically.

[mb]

I self-isolate to survive. I absolutely love and cherish being alone and being left alone. I am able to interact with coworkers and neighbors just fine, but when I get home I don’t have people over or answer the door for anyone unless it’s an emergency with a neighbor or something. I want to move to a very rural, private area where the closest neighbor would be a mile away. My solitude is my salvation. 🕉️🧘🏼

[leegalen]

I'm 68 and retired. Live alone with my 3 dogs and love it. Social media is destroying kid's sense of reality and friendship.

[tina]

There are so many people who are either bullies, jealous, thieves, liars, backstabbers, gossips, tattlers, etc., it is really hard to socialize. It can be a lot of trouble or even dangerous in some cases. Loneliness is a problem but life is a problem. Finding the right people to spend time with is more trouble than it's worth in many cases. I like my privacy and spending time helping innocent animals. At least I don't have to worry what they're doing behind my back

[MagdaTrendafilovaLappa]

I was practically raised in a social isolation environment full of bullying and mistrust. It is extremely difficult to combat social anxiety and re-wire your brain when you are lacking even the basic social skills that most children learn in a young age.

[xheartsandhoofbeatsx]

Crippling social anxiety, poorly managed depression/OCD/ADHD, and the pandemic took the last seven or so years from me, and the enormous weight of realizing just how much time I've spent in a state of just recently hit. I feel absolutely crushed, but also grateful for insights from individuals like Dr. Marks. Sending an internet hug to anyone reading this, who may be trying to pull themselves out of their isolation. We can do this.

[triple]

Good to see there’s people out there like me it may feel like we’re alone but we stand out

[glendevy]

I love being alone. I'm fed up of controlling people who try to own me. They are everywhere. But I own myself, no boss, no government, no significant other half will ever own me. That makes life a perfect bliss.

[svetaphantom]

Being bullied from the moment I started school to when I finished it, never learning how to make truthful and honest emotional connections has complete ruined me. I'm 25 now and all I do is go to work and go home - my only face to face social interaction is at work.

Never had close friends, never had a relationship, starting to feel like it's just not in the cards for me but the loneliness and need for physical touch is killing me on the inside.

[DailyDose]

As someone who's struggled to form long lasting connections: I've learned focusing my energy on myself, my hobbies and my mental and physical health has helped me to fill in the need to have connections. Sometimes I feel lonely but then I remind myself of the inconsistencies, drama and heartbreak that are associated with connections and I refocus my energy on myself

[Gigi-rlhl]

I was neglected physically and emotionally my whole life. So I just trust like a needy kid and it’s human nature to destroy weakness. I stay away from people now, I just don’t understand why people are so evil.

[OluAbimbola]

I love being alone and it is the best thing ever because people are worse than being alone.
It is my way of life since childhood