Loneliness is an emotional state one experiences alongside unmet needs for [fulfilling relationships](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/needs-in-a-relationship) and social contacts. People might feel pain, sadness, or other uncomfortable emotions because of social isolation or the perception of isolation. A lack of social relationships or meaningful connections with existing relationships can cause feelings of loneliness. Chronic loneliness can lead to [mental health](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health) and physical health issues.
The emotions of loneliness and solitude are similar, but these feelings have different causes. Often, people who experience loneliness voluntarily engage in social situations. Solitude describes people who abstain from social interactions. Those who cultivate regular alone time often do not identify as lonely; solitude is usually a voluntary [self-care](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-care-plan) practice.
Loneliness is a universal human condition. Types of loneliness include emotional loneliness, existential loneliness, and social loneliness:

1. __Emotional loneliness__: This type of loneliness can afflict people who feel they do not have close friends, family members, or a romantic partner with whom they can express their feelings, whether because these people are absent or [emotionally unavailable](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/emotionally-unavailable). People might experience emotional loneliness after a breakup or while [grieving](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grieving) the loss of a loved one. 
2. __Existential loneliness__: If a person lacks meaningful [purpose](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-your-purpose) in life and questions the nature of existence, they might feel existential loneliness. 
3. __Social loneliness__: A person without a strong support system might experience social loneliness. This type of loneliness occurs when a person has an unmet need for [belonging](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sense-of-belonging); however, people with social anxiety can also feel social loneliness, even when spending time with friends and family.
Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.
Loneliness is an emotional state that can lead to physical and mental health problems. Learn about the causes of loneliness and how to deal with feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness is an emotional state that can lead to physical and mental health problems. Learn about the causes of loneliness and how to deal with feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness Definition and Causes: How to Deal With Loneliness

Loneliness is an emotional state one experiences alongside unmet needs for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/needs-in-a-relationship' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/needs-in-a-relationship","linkCopy":"fulfilling relationships","category":null}'>fulfilling relationships</a> and social contacts. People might feel pain, sadness, or other uncomfortable emotions because of social isolation or the perception of isolation. A lack of social relationships or meaningful connections with existing relationships can cause feelings of loneliness. Chronic loneliness can lead to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health","linkCopy":"mental health","category":null}'>mental health</a> and physical health issues.

Loneliness Definition

The emotions of loneliness and solitude are similar, but these feelings have different causes. Often, people who experience loneliness voluntarily engage in social situations. Solitude describes people who abstain from social interactions. Those who cultivate regular alone time often do not identify as lonely; solitude is usually a voluntary <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-care-plan' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-care-plan","linkCopy":"self-care","category":null}'>self-care</a> practice.

Solitude vs. Loneliness: What’s the Difference?

Loneliness is a universal human condition. Types of loneliness include emotional loneliness, existential loneliness, and social loneliness:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Emotional loneliness: This type of loneliness can afflict people who feel they do not have close friends, family members, or a romantic partner with whom they can express their feelings, whether because these people are absent or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/emotionally-unavailable' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/emotionally-unavailable","linkCopy":"emotionally unavailable","category":null}'>emotionally unavailable</a>. People might experience emotional loneliness after a breakup or while <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grieving' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/grieving","linkCopy":"grieving","category":null}'>grieving</a> the loss of a loved one. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Existential loneliness: If a person lacks meaningful <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-your-purpose' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-your-purpose","linkCopy":"purpose","category":null}'>purpose</a> in life and questions the nature of existence, they might feel existential loneliness. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Social loneliness: A person without a strong support system might experience social loneliness. This type of loneliness occurs when a person has an unmet need for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sense-of-belonging' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sense-of-belonging","linkCopy":"belonging","category":null}'>belonging</a>; however, people with social anxiety can also feel social loneliness, even when spending time with friends and family. </li></ol>

3 Types of Loneliness

Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.

You’re Worth It

Loneliness is an emotional state that can lead to physical and mental health problems. Learn about the causes of loneliness and how to deal with feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness is an emotional state that can lead to physical and mental health problems. Learn about the causes of loneliness and how to deal with feelings of loneliness.
