Awakening to recognize the detrimental effects of social avoidance and the possibility of healing through reconnection. Issue 5 (6th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simonsen, Sebastian; Bo, Sune
• Other Names: Bo Sune guestEditor.; Simonsen Sebastian guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 77:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 1153
• Page End: 1161
• Publication Date: 2021-04-06
• Subjects: loneliness -- social avoidance -- socio ecological; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Loneliness and social avoidance are widespread and serious mental health problems. People experiencing loneliness or social avoidance have difficulties maintaining ordinary life activities and often experience profound suffering. How do we as clinicians deal with or help people out of loneliness and social avoidance? Aims: In this paper, we introduce the issue on loneliness and social avoidance. We do so by first defining loneliness and social avoidance and outlining the impact on mental health issues of these phenomena. Next, we introduce the six papers central to the special issue along with some thoughts on how to understand therapy and treatment of social avoidance. Discussion: We discuss new directions and how to move beyond more conventional therapeutic approaches to these problems.