Loneliness in Adolescence – A Two-Systems Approach

Background: Very little has been written in the analytic literature about loneliness, despite its ubiquity in human experience and its importance in development. Method: In this presentation the authors share clinical material from intensive treatment of an adolescent to illustrate the complexity and importance of closer examination of the phenomena of loneliness. They suggest techniques that are relevant to studying and treating troubles that arise from difficult relationships to self and others, which eventuate in symptoms of isolation, withdrawal, failures in relationships and lack of developmental progression. Summary and Conclusions: A two-systems approach makes sense of these phenomena and offers treatment techniques to address pathological defenses against loneliness and lend support for growth of enjoyment in both solitude and relationships with others. Shifting cultural norms have contributed to the pathologizing of solitude.