Spending too much time alone?

Question

Nitezsche said something along the lines of that it isn't good for someone to spend a lot of time alone... im curious what could happen from excessive solitude? could someone literally lose their mind? become schizophrenic or something?

Answer 1

you can develop neurosis with too much solitude.  If you get depressed because of it, I wold suggest developing  network of friends.  This is generally done by joining groups you are interested in. You don't seem close to that, but if you are lonely, it's probably time time to look for alternatives

Answer 2

I wish the definition of "alone" could be defined, because i live my life in almost complete solitude, other than my children and people we may see at the grocery store (none I know) but sometimes i feel i am losing my mind, i just need to talk to someone (an adult) and it gets really lonely. It's not that i don't have friends their just so far away, I think a person could become severely depressed if anything I don't think they would become schizophrenic unless they had prior "conditions" that causes them to be completely closed in.

Answer 3

There are scientists, artists, writers, and others who spend excessive amounts of time alone.  For many of them this is the only way they can get their work done to their satisfaction.  There are even students, so concerned with getting into 'that' school, that they hardly socialize.

Keep in mind that different things are important to different people.  Different jobs require different amounts of socialization skills.

Some people have social anxiety, and are uncomfortable around people too much of the time.

Some religious practices require a lot of time spent in meditation, prayer, or other, and less time with others.

If the person staying alone is keeping occupied while doing so, he should be fine, because he is doing something important in his eyes.

If the person is just lying around all day doing next to nothing, there would be more chance of damage.

Answer 4

I don't think it would be to that extent; however, spending too much time alone can lead to serious social disorders.

Spending a lot of alone time allows one to think and reinforce certain preconceived notions about other individuals and some about society in general. Any fears or anxiety about mingling with others tends to become reinforced because we very circularly confirm our own beliefs to support our belief system. Without any outside experience to counter those "ill" thoughts, the more reinforced those thoughts become.

So we can become our only friend and frame of social reference. If our basic thoughts about society is negative, it can spin into feelings of paranoia, and lead to talking to oneself or even arguing with oneself for the sake of social entertainment and social mental exercise. One becomes the foe in repeated array of self destructive arguments where the person always becomes the "preset" victor and is always right about an issue or issues. This allows the "alone" person to communicate, exercise their argumentative skills and reasoning, and be "correct" in a heated discussion. Unfortunately, these people end up muttering to themselves and pushing a basket around town not really having a clue what is around them.

They create their own reality and to deviate or to leave it would render their sociological belief system false. So in a sense, they know not to deviate because it might shake the foundation of their social beliefs, or they simply fear deviation in order to protect their circular logic.

It's a terrible occurrence but it happens every day.

Answer 5

That is an intriguing question. As a textbook example of what you describe (aside from work), i am isolated from people - as in, there is not a single person i could call on in an emergency (except 911) or someone to go on a spur of the moment lunch date with. I don't have any friends on the job either.

Based on this experience, what i really think is one can become dehumanized and believe that no one will go to bat for them.

Without a support system or family....a person has REASON to be at least a bit scared.....because they are surviving, alone.  That person is at the mercy of strangers and could possibly be taken advantage of. They are especially vulnerable.  This could lead to a sense of threat which could be interpreted by others as "paranoia".

But does this paranoia have a logical basis? When a mental health professional DOES NOT know a person's circumstances, they are inclined to interpret what a person says at face value, which may seem wacky - but when you think about it - who WOULD NOT lose their mind if they are isolated...without allies in life, without love?

It takes a rare person of strength to take that kind of situation lightly. Who knows if that looks 'schizophrenic' or not.  Being alone is - SANELY -  a scary situation, because there is nothing between you and the doubts, pains and questions inherent in life itself. That can drive a person crazy, not having another human to rely on in times of stress or trouble. A life without human connection would drive many "normal" people crazy. Leave it up to the diagnosticians to decide if that is clinically "insane" or not.

Answer 6

define alot of time... do u mean a lifetime of loneliness or alot of time everyday but still in contact wit ppl??? i like spendin time by myself but i have alot of friends too and i dont think ive lost my mind yet...lol...