Apr 10, 2026
In this episode, a look at loneliness, the connection to
anxiety and how the book, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter can help us
understand the relationship between the two.
Loneliness is disconnection from the other. Could be the loss of the other person. Could be an an idea or way of being that use to sustain you and now it doesn't. Could be a country that that use to pretend to live up to 1/4 of their stated ideas and now you find out it closer to 1/32nd and dropping.
Anxiety can mean that your brain and body feels that there is
instability, danger or a threat. Your symptoms are the visual or
sensory representation of something being wrong.
Symptoms can be embarrassing. Many anxious people make the
choice of separating themselves from others. There are other
options.
Resources Mentioned:
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Book: The book was written by author Carson McCullers and published in 1940. You should be able to find it at any retail or online book vendor.
Audio: There is an abbreviated BBC full
performance and there is a 12-hour narrated version of the
entire book by Cherry Jones on Audible.
Movie: There is a trailer on YouTube. Amazon Prime has the 1968
version of the movie that you can either rent
or buy. I'm sure that other streaming services that have the film
in rotation.
Loneliness Research
2023 The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social
Connection and Community. This is a downloadable document on
the research.
Journal of Effective Disorders
Emotional and social loneliness and their unique links with social
isolation, depression and anxiety. If the above link is
troublesome, can try to download the article via the digital object identifier number.
Emergency Resources:
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text
838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving
overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the
Veteran line and international calling options.
National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for
free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates
independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or
WhatsApp as a means of contact.
Disclaimer:
Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.
Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.
This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.