Halcyon Identifies

 

Research suggests lonely people are at greater risk of developing illnesses, such as heart disease and certain cancers and that the effect on mortality of loneliness is comparable with that of smoking and drinking.

 

Despite living in an age of social networking, many people are now more lonely than ever, but most may be too ashamed to admit it.

 

Relationships vital to health and well-being are under threat by modern life, which can isolate people from one another and lead to loneliness.

In response to neuroscience and scanning breakthroughs showing effects of isolation, rejection and despair on the brain, researchers have developed the "self-esteem initiative", including video games that aim to trick the brain into forming more positive mental images.

• Diversity/Isolation - there appears to be a growing trend towards "lifestyle tribes" - cut-off pockets of like-mindedness within towns and cities - of people who share the same ways of life, beliefs and political views.

Problems - 09/08/07

• Isolation - a new study claims that between the ages of 20 and 40 people lose about one friend every year.