Why Are We Lonely?

Two famous personalities Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain recently died by taking their own lives, reportedly after suffering from long standing depression. First off, let me make it clear that depression and loneliness are not the same.

- Thaddeus C. Hinunangan

Clinical depression as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM5), consists of five or more symptoms present in the same two-week period and represent a change in functioning; with at least one of the symptoms either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure, and none of the symptoms attributable to another medical condition:

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly everyday, either by a subjective report or an observation made by others.

2. Marked diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities nearly everyday.

3. Significant weight loss (when not editing) or weight gain; increase or decrease in appetite nearly everyday.

4. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly everyday.

5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation everyday observed by others.

6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly everyday.

7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.

8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly everyday.

9. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation.