Editing Solitude (section)

==Health effects==
Symptoms from complete isolation, called [[sensory deprivation]], may include [[anxiety]], sensory [[illusion]]s, or distortions of [[time]] and perception. However, this is the case when there is no stimulation of the [[sensory systems]] at all and not just lack of contact with people. Thus, this can be avoided by having other things to keep one's mind busy.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050322131526/http://www.eastandard.net/archives/august/wed25082004/executives/upfront/upfront02.htm]}}</ref>

Long-term solitude is often seen as undesirable, causing [[loneliness]] or [[recluse|reclusion]] resulting from inability to establish [[interpersonal relationship|relationships]]. Furthermore, it might lead to [[clinical depression]], although some people do not react to it negatively. Buddhist [[monk]]s regard long-term solitude as a means of [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]]. [[marooning|Marooned]] people have been left in solitude for years without any report of psychological symptoms afterwards.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} Some psychological conditions (such as [[schizophrenia]]<ref>{{Citation|author=Maltsberger, J.T., M. Pompili and R. Tatarelli|title=Sandro Morselli: Schizophrenic Solitude, Suicide, and Psychotherapy|journal=Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior|volume=36|issue=5|pages=591–600|year=2006|postscript=.|doi=10.1521/suli.2006.36.5.591|pmid=17087638}}</ref> and [[schizoid personality disorder]]) are strongly linked to a tendency to seek solitude.

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

[[Emotional isolation]] is a state of isolation where one feels emotionally separated from others despite having a well-functioning [[social network]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Loneliness and Social Isolation — Tips for Staying Connected |url=https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected |website=National Institute on Aging |access-date=17 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Understanding the Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health |url=https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/effects-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health/ |website=publichealth.tulane.edu |access-date=17 March 2024 |date=8 December 2020}}</ref>

Researchers, including Robert J. Coplan and Julie C. Bowker, have rejected the notion that solitary practices and solitude are inherently dysfunctional and undesirable. In their 2013 book ''A Handbook of Solitude'', the authors note how solitude can allow for enhancements in self-esteem, generates clarity, and can be highly therapeutic.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Coplan, Robert J.|first1=Bowker, Julie C.|title=A Handbook of Solitude: Psychological Perspectives on Social Isolation|date=2013|publisher=Wiley Blackwell}}{{ISBN?}}{{page?|date=July 2022}}</ref> In the edited work, Coplan and Bowker invite not only fellow psychology colleagues to chime in on this issue but also a variety of other faculty from different disciplines to address the issue. Fong's chapter offers an alternative view on how solitude is more than just a personal trajectory for one to take inventory on life; it also yields a variety of important sociological cues that allow the protagonist to navigate through society, even highly politicized societies.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fong|first1=Jack|title=The Role of Solitude in Transcending Social Crises{{snd}}New Possibilities for Existential Sociology|date=2014|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|pages=499–516}}{{ISBN?}}</ref> In the process, political prisoners in solitary confinement were examined to see how they concluded their views on society. Thus Fong, Coplan, and Bowker conclude that a person's experienced solitude generates immanent and personal content as well as collective and sociological content, depending on context.