New Research suggests that chronic loneliness can cause cardiovascular restriction, compromised immune function and arouse the Fight or Flight response. It suggests that we have evolved a stress response to isolation to prevent us from diverging too far from group protection, and that we experience emotional pain when we do. It offers insights into a source of chronic stress and even why we may find watching TV relaxing.
Article in 14 January 2011 Science Magazine
“The degree of social connection that can improve our health and happiness … is both as simple and as difficult as being open and available to others.”
Lonliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection
John Cacioppo
University of Chicago, Il
I finally got a good look at this book and it is excellent. Great perceptual depth, good convergence of neuroanatomy, psychology and evolution. Brian