Withdrawing from people from time to time isn’t necessarily a problem, but it can be if withdrawal becomes chronic. Some people begin to isolate themselves to avoid uncomfortable emotions that come up around others, like embarrassment or judgment.
Social withdrawal and mental health can be connected. A mental health difficulty might cause this withdrawal at first, and isolation itself can then make things worse and create new symptoms. Or, someone who withdraws for a while can start to feel worse simply because they’ve pulled away, even if that isn’t where the issues began.
It can also be difficult to come out of a long period of isolation. However, there are things that can help, including therapy and other forms of support. This article explores:
Human beings exist in complex webs of social relationships with:
These connections play a powerful role in emotional well-being and, perhaps surprisingly, long-term physical health.[1]
Withdrawal can begin as a form of avoidance behavior, a way of steering clear of situations that bring up uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. It may be that they’re scared of judgment, embarrassment, or feeling misunderstood by others. To avoid these painful experiences, they turn down invitations to social events and remain by themselves.
This response can be risky, as the quality and quantity of social interactions during adulthood can have a big impact on overall health and well-being. In fact, those who are socially isolated or have limited relationships tend to have higher mortality and morbidity rates.[2]
Withdrawal can also be motivated by shame or a lack of motivation. You might simply feel compelled to stay at home, where it’s more comfortable, especially if it feels difficult to be in the presence of other people.
It’s important to distinguish social isolation from loneliness because they’re often spoken about together, but aren’t the same. Loneliness is the subjective experience of distress that comes from not feeling satisfied with your social network.[1]
Loneliness can be a positive catalyst for someone to make changes and start seeing more people they get along with.
Social isolation, meanwhile, is the objective state of being disconnected from a social network.[1] When this isolation is voluntary, it’s called social withdrawal.[3]
It’s this decision to withdraw that is most interesting, because exploring it can explain why someone feels compelled to stay away from other people. This is usually explored in therapy and forms a large part of the recovery process.
Withdrawing from social life has several tell-tale signs, but different people experience it differently. Here are some of the signs of social withdrawal:[1]
Just as these signs and symptoms vary, social withdrawal can occur in a range of different mental health conditions.
Social withdrawal can be self-destructive because it can create and perpetuate mental health conditions. Experts classify it as a “disrupted social behavior” and as a shared symptom of conditions including:[1][2]
In these conditions, social withdrawal and mental health are linked in a way where the withdrawal is a symptom. But withdrawal can also appear alongside grief, chronic illness, stress, and major life transitions, even outside a diagnosed mental health condition.
Social withdrawal has a significant impact on quality of life, typically arising in the early stages of a mental health condition. Experts call this “prodromal,” meaning that steady or sudden social withdrawal can signify the beginning of a mental health condition.[2]
However, that doesn’t mean that you should wait until you’ve been socially withdrawn for a long time before seeking help. You might need professional support right from the beginning. Signs that social withdrawal and mental health have become more serious include:[4]
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline right away.
If your loved one is acting differently, or you’ve noticed these signs in yourself, it’s most likely the right time to seek professional support.
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Treatment for social isolation can take many forms, with different approaches emphasizing behavior, emotion, and thoughts. We’ll now explore how social withdrawal and mental health tend to be treated in a behavioral health context, as well as other treatment options.
Social withdrawal can be treated by behavioral health professionals who specialize in how mental health affects behavior. They focus on changing behaviors in treatment rather than processing and expressing emotion. For example, behavioral health interventions include:[5][6]
Mental illness and isolation can also be treated by other care models that don’t put as much emphasis on behavior.
These approaches accept that some isolation is a normal and unavoidable part of the human condition. Instead of trying to quickly correct your behavior, therapists from this approach will sit with you as you are today. They may help you explore why being alone feels better, and what you’re afraid of experiencing out in the world with other people.
Gradually, as you learn to process and explore your feelings, symptoms of poor mental health can become more manageable. From there, you may not need to rely on withdrawal to cope.
Similarly, the psychodynamic therapy approach won’t invite you to make immediate changes to your lifestyle. Instead, a psychodynamic therapist will provide a non-judgmental space where you can talk freely about your experiences in life.
They’ll likely make connections between your present circumstances and early childhood experiences. Through this process, it can become easier to:
Talk therapies in general provide a great deal of relational support. This means that opening yourself up to help from another person (regardless of their therapeutic approach) teaches you more about yourself. As a result, you may find it easier to rely on other people in your life and seek out social opportunities where you can continue connecting with others.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Anxiety support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
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If you or a loved one has been struggling with social withdrawal, there is a great deal of support available. At AMFM Mental Health Treatment (A Mission for Michael), we treat a range of emotional and mental health difficulties with evidence-based therapies that are personalized to every person who seeks our support.
We offer an intimate, focused mental health treatment experience for adults in home-like settings that are carefully maintained to be peaceful, comfortable spaces. In addition to residential treatment, AMFM Mental Health Treatment also offers multiple levels of outpatient treatment.
Our locations in California, Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington accept insurance and are in-network with many major providers. To check your insurance coverage for mental health care, simply complete our confidential online verification form.
Call us at 866-478-4383 if you would like to start the admissions process or learn more about how we can support your mental well-being. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.
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At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
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