Can we live without human contact ?

Feb 24, 2014, 03:08 PM

I was wondering about this. Human contact is the main trigger of emotions in the human body. Feeling appreciated, feeling recognized, feeling loved etc... What if someone is rejected ? If this person doesn't fit to society ? Is this person deprived from feeling those unique sensations ?

Feb 24, 2014, 03:30 PM

I personally couldn't live without people. If I lived alone I would be dead already. A lot of the reason I even eat and get out of bed is so that my roommates won't question me. It's very important for me to be recognized and loved. As for my own experience, I have been rejected from a lot of people (I think most people have experienced it before). We have been bullied and viciously scarred by many people and will continue to be for the rest of our lives but the people who do love us make it easier. I think, for someone like me, what I really need is the hope to find new friends and make my own community to feel better.

But as for being deprived of those feelings. Studies have shown that you need to be shown love to be able to love yourself and etc. (I don't remember from where so this could have been proven false by now) But yes, I believe human contact is crucial. Babies need... 5 (?) positive touches a day and I know I work better when I get hugs. Some people don't enjoy human contact and prefer to become hermits but that is definitely not the majority.

Feb 24, 2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeprolling

I personally couldn't live without people. If I lived alone I would be dead already. A lot of the reason I even eat and get out of bed is so that my roommates won't question me. It's very important for me to be recognized and loved. As for my own experience, I have been rejected from a lot of people (I think most people have experienced it before). We have been bullied and viciously scarred by many people and will continue to be for the rest of our lives but the people who do love us make it easier. I think, for someone like me, what I really need is the hope to find new friends and make my own community to feel better.

But as for being deprived of those feelings. Studies have shown that you need to be shown love to be able to love yourself and etc. (I don't remember from where so this could have been proven false by now) But yes, I believe human contact is crucial. Babies need... 5 (?) positive touches a day and I know I work better when I get hugs. Some people don't enjoy human contact and prefer to become hermits but that is definitely not the majority.

But what about antisocial persons who crave to get some attention ? Friendship and love isn't something we can force. So are they condemned to dwell in their loneliness ?

Akua · Feb 24, 2014, 03:56 PM

I am without human contact daily. I work at home, single/live alone, no pets, no kids, no family close by and no one to check in on me. It's just me and my thoughts, a dangerous place when depression kicks in. I realize I choose to be this way since people stress me, but I am alone.

Pick your battle carefully and be careful what you wish for.

Feb 24, 2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamiomi

But what about antisocial persons who crave to get some attention ? Friendship and love isn't something we can force. So are they condemned to dwell in their loneliness ?

No of course not! As long as people still find it in their hearts to keep trying to look for friends, eventually they will find some kindred spirits. Because there will always be people looking. And also, I'm sorry I might not have been clear enough in the last post. Being alone is not inherently bad (I just personally dislike it), but feeling lonely and isolated is. I would never purposefully isolate people or condemn them. I usually actually go out of my way and sit next to strangers when I'm by myself. If they don't have their headphones in or aren't busy in some way I'll make conversation. You can't force friendship and love because it's a two way street but you can be receptive towards gaining new friends and try your best! That's all I really want to do. If they don't want to talk to me that's fine. But if I make a new friend that's great!

Clara22 · Feb 24, 2014, 09:11 PM

Hi Akua,
What about your safety? For example, if you had an accident, would somebody know about it? is somebody checking on you daily or often?

Feb 25, 2014, 12:44 PM

These sorts of discussions make me uncomfortable because I have had so much trouble with connection all of my life. I struggle with avoiding it because I am afraid of want it too much because I have missed out. I believe humans are wired for connection. Babies will die without it. People can adapt without human connection but I am not sure if they can really be ok with it or if it is a compromise as akua said. Often I make the choice to stay at home instead of seeking interaction. I do have a cat. For a while I didn't and that was much worse. Paradoxically I can talk to strangers when I travel with almost no issue whatsoever. I am also able to attend groups with strangers and get along fine. I'll even get into some deep conversations. It just isn't really "connection" and it is fleeting.

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Feb 25, 2014, 01:18 PM

I was uncomfortable with it too, Michanne. I even spent 5 days wondering if it was really a good idea to talk about it here.

About relation, I'm a bit like you, even if I can talk to people, I feel no connection. No matter how much persons are around me, or talking to me, I just feel isolated.

Koko2 · Feb 26, 2014, 02:39 AM

We apparently need some human contact since solitary confinement has terrible psychological consequences from what I've heard. However, I had to learn to enjoy my own company when I was a teenager due to a family move.

Denman · Feb 26, 2014, 06:24 AM

For Me, living without human contact is "cruel and unusual punishment" and would force my depression into the basement and I probably would not recover. Social isolation is not something I can handle. Some people may wish or chose to be alone in life, whether depressed or not, but for me it would cause immense psychological damage and ultimately effect my physical health.

Altered Moment · Feb 26, 2014, 08:04 AM

I have been a loner by nature. I prefer to be by myself and can spend long periods of time by myself. After a certain amount of time I do crave some social activity. I have a need that has to be satisfied. After I go out for coffee or go to a meeting I am good again for awhile.

snarkydaddy · Feb 26, 2014, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamiomi

I was wondering about this. Human contact is the main trigger of emotions in the human body. Feeling appreciated, feeling recognized, feeling loved etc... What if someone is rejected ? If this person doesn't fit to society ? Is this person deprived from feeling those unique sensations ?

For me, I get really strange without it and that is the rub as I do not like it.

I was scared out of my mind about the possibility of having contact with the person I fell in love with. I got over it and now am in a life long partnership (leomama) . Who knows what tomorrow might bring.

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leomama · Feb 26, 2014, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snarkydaddy

For me, I get really strange without it and that is the rub as I do not like it.

I was scared out of my mind about the possibility of having contact with the person I fell in love with. I got over it and now am in a life long partnership (leomama) . Who knows what tomorrow might bring.

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Who knows what tomorrow might bring? Daddy actually likes groups?

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