Changes

'''Solitude''' is a state of seclusion or '''isolation''', i.e. lack of contact with people or love.  It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, contagious disease, disfiguring features, repulsive personal habits, mental illness, or circumstances of employment or situation.

'''Solitude''' is a state of seclusion or '''isolation''', i.e. lack of contact with people or [[love]].  It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, contagious disease, disfiguring features, repulsive personal habits, mental illness, or circumstances of employment or situation.

Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think or rest without being disturbed. It may be desired for the sake of [[Private|privacy]].

Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think or rest without being disturbed. It may be desired for the sake of [[Private|privacy]].

A distinction can be made between physical and mental seclusion. People may seek physical seclusion to remove distractions and make it easier to concentrate, reflect, or meditate. However, this is not necessarily an end in and of itself. Once a certain capacity to resist distractions is achieved, people become less sensitive to distractions and more capable of maintaining mindfulness and staying inwardly absorbed and concentrated. Such people, unless on a mission of helping others, don't seek any interaction with the external physical world. Their mindfulness is their world, at least ostensibly.

A distinction can be made between physical and mental seclusion. People may seek physical seclusion to remove distractions and make it easier to concentrate, [[reflection|reflect]], or [[meditation|meditate]]. However, this is not necessarily an end in and of itself. Once a certain capacity to resist distractions is achieved, people become less sensitive to distractions and more capable of maintaining mindfulness and staying inwardly absorbed and concentrated. Such people, unless on a mission of helping others, don't seek any interaction with the external physical world. Their mindfulness is their world, at least ostensibly.

==Health effects==

==Health effects==

Symptoms from externally imposed isolation often include anxiety, sensory [[illusion]]s, or even distortions of [[time]] and [[perception]]. However, this is the case when there is no stimulation of the sensory systems at all, and not only lack of contact with people. Thus, by having other things to keep one's mind busy, this is avoided. [http://www.eastandard.net/archives/august/wed25082004/executives/upfront/upfront02.htm]

Symptoms from externally imposed isolation often include anxiety, sensory [[illusion]]s, or even distortions of [[time]] and [[perception]]. However, this is the case when there is no stimulation of the sensory systems at all, and not only lack of contact with people. Thus, by having other things to keep one's mind busy, this is avoided. [http://www.eastandard.net/archives/august/wed25082004/executives/upfront/upfront02.htm]

Still, long-term solitude is often seen as undesirable, causing loneliness or reclusion resulting from inability to establish interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, it might even lead to clinical [[depression]]. However, for some people, solitude is not entirely depressing. Still others (e.g. monks) regard long-term solitude as a means of spiritual enlightenment. Indeed, marooned people have been left in solitude for years without any report of psychological symptoms afterwards.

Still, long-term solitude is often seen as undesirable, causing loneliness or reclusion resulting from inability to establish interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, it might even lead to clinical [[depression]]. However, for some people, solitude is not entirely depressing. Still others (e.g. monks) regard long-term solitude as a means of [[spirituality|spiritual enlightenment]]. Indeed, marooned people have been left in solitude for years without any report of psychological symptoms afterwards.

John T. Cacioppo's, University of Chicago, 2008 book, ''Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection'', outlines five distinct pathways through which social isolation contributes to increased illness and early death. He also offers an evolutionary rational for why the subjective sense of social isolation--loneliness--is so profoundly disruptive to human physiology that it impairs [[cognition]] and [[free will|will]] power, alters DNA transcription in immune cells, and leads over time to high blood pressure. [http://www.scienceofloneliness.com ISBN 978-0-393-06170-3]

John T. Cacioppo's, University of Chicago, 2008 book, ''Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection'', outlines five distinct pathways through which social isolation contributes to increased illness and early death. He also offers an evolutionary rational for why the subjective sense of social isolation--loneliness--is so profoundly disruptive to human physiology that it impairs [[cognition]] and [[free will|will]] power, alters DNA transcription in immune cells, and leads over time to high blood pressure. [http://www.scienceofloneliness.com ISBN 978-0-393-06170-3]

Enforced loneliness (solitary confinement) has been a punishment method throughout [[history]]. It is often considered a form of torture.

Enforced loneliness (solitary confinement) has been a punishment method throughout [[history]]. It is often considered a form of [[torture]].

In contrast, some psychological conditions (such as [[schizophrenia]]) are strongly linked to a tendency to seek solitude.

In contrast, some psychological conditions (such as [[schizophrenia]]) are strongly linked to a tendency to seek solitude.

==Different types==

==Different types==

There are two different common types of human isolation. These are known as protective isolation and source isolation. They are different in that one is voluntary, while the other is not.

There are two different common types of human isolation. These are known as protective isolation and source isolation. They are different in that one is [[volition|voluntary]], while the other is not.

Protective isolation is the type of isolation created in tests. This can usually be classified by the fact that one can opt out of the [[experiment]], or the isolation. It can often be prepared for, and is generally not a negative thing. (More often than not, there is a reward for the subject's time as an experiment.) Source isolation includes no benefits, and cannot be prepared for. Thus, it is usually undesirable, and is not very common.

Protective isolation is the type of isolation created in tests. This can usually be classified by the [[fact]] that one can opt out of the [[experiment]], or the isolation. It can often be prepared for, and is generally not a negative thing. (More often than not, there is a reward for the subject's time as an experiment.) Source isolation includes no benefits, and cannot be prepared for. Thus, it is usually undesirable, and is not very common.

Emotional isolation is a term used to describe a state of isolation where the individual is emotionally isolated, but may have a well functioning social network.

Emotional isolation is a term used to describe a state of isolation where the individual is emotionally isolated, but may have a well functioning social network.