FEELING ALONE WHEN ACCOMPANIED: HOW TO COMBAT THE EMOTIONAL LONELINESS THAT AFFECTS TEENAGERS

Lack of affection, lack of communication, misunderstanding, need to be heard and dissatisfaction. They are some of the feelings that accompany those They feel alone, being accompanied. It is what is known as emotional loneliness and that, according to the psychologist Pilar Conde, it is worse than physical loneliness and more difficult to treat.

Although it may surprise us at any age, we must be more aware of its appearance in adolescence, when its consequences are more devastating. The psychologist, technical director of Clínicas Origen, explains what signs alert us that our children can feel alone and gives us the keys to help them To overcome the hard moment.

Teenagers need their parents

Most young people with suicidal tendencies say they feel lonely and sometimes when we want to help them it is late. For this reason, it is vital to detect loneliness within the family and school environment.

According to Pilar Conde, there are signs that alert us.

"We must worry if our son speaks little, seems sad, does not react positively to affection, spends a lot of time alone and avoids contact."

The expert adds that parents (and also educators) have an obligation to ensure young people, providing them with a social security environment, in which to develop their emotional and social capacities.

That is why it is important that they intervene in case the adolescent does not feel integrated or feels rejection, especially if it is accompanied by harassment or some type of violence.

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So we can parents help our teenage son

The psychologist says that adolescents need the support and guidance of their parents, since they are in the process of maturity and physical change, with the insecurities that this implies. Therefore, even if they refuse to accept it, we must always stay close, willing.

We can help them overcome their emotional loneliness:

Listening to them and observing their behaviors, understanding why they do what they do and what emotional needs they have and are not being met.
Not judging them, offering them the help, and thinking with them the possible solutions, taking into account their opinions.
Performing a coordinated family-school job. It is essential that parents and teachers intervene together.
Supporting them in their hobbies. If the child does not fit in school, he can be compensated with activities he likes, whether sports, intellectual or recreational.
Strengthening the areas of activity and knowledge in which they stand out and allowing him to develop in his personal skills and qualities.

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In adolescence, friends are fundamental

Friendships are vital in the teenage years, as the psychologist points out, since boys and girls need to reaffirm themselves, feel that they belong to a group.

Friends also help them develop their identity and personal self-esteem. So, if parents observe that their child is isolated, has no friends and prefers to be alone, it may be convenient to ask a professional for help.

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Unwanted loneliness is a vicious circle. The less you get, the less you want. Come to few people, communicate little and lazily the effort of the connection. The apathy of loneliness leads to isolation and this can become detrimental to health.

"If loneliness is accompanied by high levels of anxiety, it can cause psychosomatic problems."

Faced with the opinion of some experts, Pilar Conde does not consider that social networks are always harmful. In fact, "On some occasions, that digital connection through social networks and telephone groups can help a teenager feel inside the group, help him meet people and maintain certain relationships."

Online communication is useful as long as it is not contemplated as a replacement for the actual contact, nor as an escape route for not doing leisure activities.

"Social networks should be understood as another tool of sociability that allows them to strengthen their interpersonal relationships, maintaining the same rules of respect as in 'real life."

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