Is not liking socializing and preferring solitude a disease

Not liking socializing and preferring solitude is usually not a disease, but a manifestation of personality preferences or psychological needs. The tendency towards solitude may be related to factors such as introverted personality, high sensitivity traits, self-healing needs, creativity needs, and environmental adaptation strategies. If solitude is accompanied by social anxiety, sustained low mood, or functional impairment, attention should be paid to potential psychological issues. Introverted individuals often recover energy through solitude, and their brains are more sensitive to dopamine. Oversocializing can lead to fatigue. Highly sensitive groups have strong sensory information processing depth, and being alone can reduce the stress caused by external stimuli. Some people actively choose to be alone for psychological adjustment after experiencing interpersonal conflicts, which belongs to a healthy self-protection mechanism. Artists or researchers often need solitude to maintain focused thinking, and many creative achievements in history have emerged from this state of solitude. In modern society, some people actively choose high-quality solitude due to their aversion to shallow socializing, and this strategic loneliness helps to screen for truly valuable interpersonal relationships. When solitude is accompanied by strong fear of social situations and avoidance of all interpersonal contact, social anxiety disorder may exist. Loneliness lasting for more than two weeks, combined with decreased interest and changes in sleep and appetite, should alert one to depression. If solitude leads to the inability to complete social functions such as academic and work tasks, or the occurrence of psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, professional evaluation is required. Some individuals with autism spectrum disorder also exhibit social avoidance, but it is often accompanied by stereotyped behavior and communication disorders. Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder may self isolate due to a breakdown in trust, which requires psychological intervention.

For a tendency towards solitude within a healthy range, one can try to establish a balanced lifestyle, such as maintaining a fixed amount of alone time every day while maintaining a small amount of deep social relationships. Improve the quality of solitude through diaries, meditation, and other methods to avoid falling into negative rumination. Cultivate independent hobbies such as painting and writing, and transform solitude into opportunities for personal growth. If solitude has affected normal life, it is recommended to seek psychological counseling and evaluation. Cognitive behavioral therapy has a better effect on improving maladaptive loneliness. Pay attention to distinguishing between enjoying loneliness and pathological isolation. The former is a personality trait, while the latter is a psychological state that requires intervention.