Isolation is a defence mechanism

Defence mechanism

In Freudian psychoanalytic theory, defence mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain self-image. Healthy persons normally use different defences throughout life...

 in psychoanalytic theory

Psychoanalytic theory

Psychoanalytic theory refers to the definition and dynamics of personality development which underlie and guide psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy. First laid out by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalytic theory has undergone many refinements since his work...

, whereby the person "isolates" the unpleasant idea from the normal emotional response. For example, describing a murder in graphic details without an emotional involvement invokes isolation.

While in repression

Psychological repression

Psychological repression, also psychic repression or simply repression, is the psychological attempt by an individual to repel one's own desires and impulses towards pleasurable instincts by excluding the desire from one's consciousness and holding or subduing it in the unconscious...

, which is a similar mechanism, the unpleasant idea becomes buried into the unconscious mind

Unconscious mind

The unconscious mind is a term coined by the 18th century German romantic philosopher Friedrich Schelling and later introduced into English by the poet and essayist Samuel Taylor Coleridge...

, in isolation, the idea remains, but the emotional response to it is withdrawn.

Effects

Social isolation in humans increases an individual's susceptibility for broad-based morbidity and mortality, such as smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and high blood pressure.

Health risks are associated to a lack or small social network, low participation or contact in social activities. Lonely individuals are at risk for worsening health such as inflammation, cardiovascular disease and depression. However loneliness is defined differently for everyone and can be unrelated to a small social network or how frequently they keep in contact with others.

As one ages, the course of life will change bringing challenges to stay socially connected. Retirement can cause the loss of social role or health problems that limit social activity. At the same time, as one ages, there is more free time to participate in social situations. But if they do not involve themselves in social activities, health risks will increase and area greater for older adults. Retirement and health problems require social support. Without these support available for older adults, their health will be at greater risk.

Types

There are two types of isolation:

• Social isolation
• Emotional isolation

Two forms of social isolation are social disconnectedness and perceived isolation.
Social disconnectedness is the lack of connectedness with others. For example, a small social networks, minimal social interaction and participation in group activities.
Perceived isolation is the lack of social resources like companionship, intimacy or support, often feeling lonely and not belonging.