MANILA, Philippines — It is a subject that is seldom talked about. But many of us have felt it at one time or another. I’m referring to loneliness. Even great and famous people are victims of loneliness.

Here are some famous sayings about loneliness in their personal lives:

1. “It seems my tragic destiny that in all the important moments of my life I find myself alone. – Benito Mussolini

2. “Sometimes I think the only people who stay with me and really listen are people I hire, people I pay. – Marilyn Monroe

3. “It is strange to be known so universally, and yet to be so lonely. – Albert Einstein

4. “I live in a vacuum that is as lonely as a radio tube when the batteries are dead and there is no current to plug into." – Ernest Hemingway

Many studies have been made on the correlation and connection of loneliness and internet usage. While some people seeking relief from loneliness visit various websites to help them deal with their condition, there is another study that shows that internet is associated with loneliness. Let me share with you one such report:

“A paper by six researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, published in The American Psychologist, reported the startling news that the Internet, the very touchstone of the new American capitalism, is actually bad for some people’s psychological well-being. Across the board, the researchers found a small but statistically significant trend: the more time the subjects spent at their keyboards, the more depressed and lonely they were at the end of the experiment.

“This result wasn’t just surprising, it was paradoxical, according to the study’s lead author, Robert Kraut of Carnegie Mellon’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute. Unlike people who watch a lot of television, who generally know they’re wasting time and despise themselves for it, the Internet users reported enjoying the time they spent online. And they did commendably useful things with it, like the woman who sent a pair of mittens to someone she met through an online knitting group, or the teenager who met a girl online and took her to the prom. Far-flung family members stayed in closer touch with e-mail, and some casual acquaintances graduated to frie ndships. Hence the paradox, says Kraut: “They’re using it socially, they’re enjoying the use of it socially, yet [the Internet] seems to be associated with symptoms of social isolation, such as depression and loneliness.” (Stories by R. Morgan)

Nowadays, many of our young people spend hours and hours in the internet. Leaving less time to interact with other members of the family and friends. Getting more socially isolated with others.

In the business world, people who prefer solitude to working with a group are at their best when doing research and staff work. On the other hand, people who love to interact and socialize with others are best suited for marketing and public relations work.

Feelings of loneliness that we experience at one time or another is normal… a part of our daily life in this modern times. When somebody in the family dies; or when one is suffering from exhaustion due to some tiring activities; or when one retires from work, there is feeling of loneliness and emptiness that follows. But the feeling of loneliness which is associated with some life events must be only temporary and transient. Because once the feeling of loneliness get prolonged it leads to a serious mental health problem as it might lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Have a joyful day!