[00:57.00]TAMARA: Shall we go through the notes we've made from our research into loneliness now, DEV?
[01:02.27]DEV: OK, Tamara. It's been a real eye-opener.
[01:06.56]I had no idea that loneliness has been increasing steadily for the last twenty years.
[01:12.78]TAMARA: I know. And it's the same all over the world - the downside of a modern lifestyle I guess.
[01:20.03]DEV: Did you come to any conclusions about what the reasons for the increase are?
[01:24.56]TAMARA: Well, I'd assumed it was mainly an issue for the elderly - but in fact it's something which affects young people just as much.
[02:00.36]DEV: I think you're right.
[02:01.55]TAMARA: Another possible reason is that people are having fewer children and don't live in large extended family groups.
[02:10.00]DEV: But, in this country anyway, that all changed decades ago and yet loneliness is a more recent problem.
[02:18.60]TAMARA: I suppose so. A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work and often end up living miles away from their family and friends.
[02:29.92]DEV: That's true.
[02:30.65]TAMARA: Looking at the studies on health risks and loneliness, there are claims that loneliness has as much impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
[02:41.22]DEV: Or similar to the risks caused by obesity.
[02:44.42] But I'm not sure there's enough evidence for some of these claims.
[02:49.24]TAMARA: Well - what about that one in Finland which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about ten per cent?
[02:58.04] And those findings have been supported by other studies too.
[03:02.88]DEV: You're right about that one.
[03:04.94] I was actually thinking of the studies on dementia.
[03:08.22] Some found no association between loneliness and dementia and others found the opposite.
[03:15.78] TAMARA: Not exactly reliable then. There's been a lot of research on cardiovascular disease and whether loneliness contributes to that.
[03:25.88] DEV: Yes, I read that it was hard to reach a judgement as the definition of loneliness varied quite a lot and the responses from participants were too subjective.
[03:37.88] But there's no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system.
[03:43.44] TAMARA: Unquestionably. The data on that is sound.
[03:47.27]DEV: What did you think about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?
[03:51.60]TAMARA: Well, I thought the idea that loneliness evolved because it motivated people to be with other people quite convincing.
[03:59.32] Survival often depended on group cooperation.
[04:03.43]DEV: But I don't think there's enough evidence to claim that there must be a group of neurons in our brains which influence social behaviour, by making us feel bad when we're alone.
[04:15.20]TAMARA: There are a few studies which support the theory but not conclusively enough.
[04:20.98]More evidence is needed.
[04:20.98]DEV: Mmm. And anyway, this theory's not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today.
[04:30.27]TAMARA: True.
[05:19.50]DEV: Should we look at the relationship between loneliness and mental health now?
[05:23.00]TAMARA: OK. So, loneliness and depression are clearly related and that's been recognised by various governments around the world.
[05:34.17] But unlike depression, loneliness has no recognised clinical form.
[05:40.37]DEV: There's no available diagnosis or effective treatment - and that's not likely to change.
[05:46.16]TAMARA: I don't think so either. I was thinking we should start our presentation with an example from our own experience.
[05:55.14]I'd like to talk about how lonely I was when I started university.
[06:00.24]Being away from home for the first time and all that.
[06:03.36]DEV: Good idea. Everyone will be able to relate to that - although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it.
[06:12.65]TAMARA: Yeah. We could discuss ways of dealing with loneliness as well.
[06:17.90] Like just talking to strangers.
[06:20.52]DEV: Loads of studies have shown that interactions with shop assistants and bar staff make people feel more optimistic and relaxed.
[06:30.70]TAMARA: I don't know about that but it must make people feel more connected with their community.
[06:36.85]DEV: True. Although you need to be a certain kind of person to be able to just strike up a conversation.
[06:43.88]TAMARA: Good point. We should say something about solitude and how being alone and being lonely aren't the same thing.
[06:53.26]It's strange the way some people can't stand being by themselves while others love it.
[06:59.58]DEV: Yeah. The research shows a certain amount of solitude is beneficial for well-being, which I appreciate - but being alone isn't something I actually like.
[07:11.27]I'd never choose to go on holiday alone, for example.
[07:14.86]TAMARA: Me neither.
[07:16.66]DEV: Well let's not...
