Blog #5 - Does Depression make you lonely, or does being lonely make you depressed?

 It's hard to interpret the exact definition of depression. For many people, the characteristics of loneliness implicates depression symptoms. The simple answer it that being lonely is correlated to being depressed. Not all lonely people are depressed, but it can definitely be a root cause for it. The definition of loneliness is actively someone that has no friends or company. This interpretation of the definition does not necessarily mean that having no friends leads to depression but the feeling of having no friends can lead to depression. Lori Ryland, a clinical psychologist states that "[Loneliness] can eveen be experienced when in a crowded room filled with those that care about us." And so, loneliness is triggered from factors like a breakup, divorce, or loss of a loved one. 

In the end, there isn't a simple yes-or-no answer. You can be lonely in a room filled with people, and being lonely doesn't necessarily mean you're sad or depressed.