The feeling of loneliness affects more and more people, especially young people. For what? How are our friendships formed? How important are they? Le Point J looked into the question with Sandrine Chalet, psychologist specializing in interaction and connections.
“I don’t know how to make friends anymore, it’s horrible, I miss being little.” This cry from the heart of a young Swiss on social networks illustrates an underlying trend: the feeling of loneliness, which increasingly affects the younger generation.
>> Also listen to the interview in Forum with Dante Trojan, child psychiatrist and psychotherapist for children and adolescents at HUG, on the feeling of loneliness:
“We are in a society which has somewhat weakened the connection and the quality of the connection. We have the impression of being in connection all the time, but these are not quality connections,” explains Sandrine Chalet. The psychologist points to several factors: individualism, a utilitarian approach to relationships, lack of time and general emotional overload.
When a friend is not well and we communicate through writing, we lose a lot of information linked to non-verbal communication – proximity of bodies, gazes, posture of the other. We thus lose relational skills
For those who struggle to make new friends, Sandrine Schaller advises going through existing acquaintances: “If we know a person who is part of a group, it is they who will introduce us to it.” Local activities can also be a good way to meet people.
As for friendly breakups, often neglected, they can be as painful as a romantic separation. “We have symptoms that are identical, like depressive symptoms,” recalls the psychologist.
How to take care of your friendships in the long term? What makes the friendship bond special? Discover Sandrine Schaller’s advice and listener testimonies in the full episode of Point J.
>> Listen to the Point J episode:
Juliane Roncoroni and the Point J team
Swiss
