What happens to you psychologically while alone?

[ReservoirAngel]

I just revert to the mentality of a child. I don't wanna go into dark areas of the house alone, so I actually carry a torch with me. I'm always hesitant to go anywhere, so I'll sit downstairs for ages, knowing I need to go up to bed but not wanting to because it's dark up there.

Paranoia too. Every little sound that I didn't make, I assume it's the work of either a robber, murderer, rapist, or a monster.

 

[SovietX]

Get World of Warcraft. You will never feel alone again. Sure, you may lose self respect but who needs that anyway?

OT: When im left alone I usually just play Minecraft, distracts me until someone comes home and then I do not need it anymore.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

I suck at socializing. True story. Being alone is not exactly new, and it doesn't really change anything.

 

[darkstarangel]

For me I just live in my own little reality & have mentally simulated conversations & experiences with certain people.

I know it sounds weird but I was raised to be alone, having a mother thats a single parent working two jobs & a brother who kept to himself till he moved out, I had to adapt to the isolation & this is what kept me going. The trouble is I never grew out of it & actually prefer solidarity as a comfort & to recharge from people who can suck the life out of me with their incessant chatter.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I gain focus and to a certain extent...maturity.

Then I am surrounded by people and my mind reverts to that of a child.

 

[sycoesis]

my taste in music changes drastically from pretty much everything off 102.9 to nothing but classical also i crave more and more protein when im alone not sure why

 

[babinro]

I live much of my life alone, so the opposite is true for me. I can happily go on a vacation and not leave the house for the week with the exception of a necessary grocery run. As such, it is not uncommon for me to spend days without saying a word.

When in public or groups larger than 3 or so people I feel very uncomfortable. I feel I need to talk or contribute but seldom have anything to say.

So to answer the question, when I'm alone I feel at home and comfortable. Free to do what I please without judgement or consequence. I'm happy.

 

[Poopster]

if i'm alone, i usually think of things i'm never going to be...

 

[OniaPL]

I like to be alone. I also like to spend time with my friends, but I have no desire for constant company. Also, masses of people annoy me.

 

[Thedayrecker]

Eh, I'm used to being alone, so I just sit and think.

Or read.

Or play videogames.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

I always hate being alone. I dont really socialise that much, but being in a place without everyone else really freaks me out

 

[ThreeWords]

I find my focus changes from people to things; I think less about the outside world and become able to give a single idea all my attention. I like being alone, but not for too long.

 

[CharrHearted]

You have no idea how happy I would be if I was left alone for a few days. ^_^

 

[[.redacted]]

Originally, it's a relief, but after prolonged periods of time I start thinking philosophically, resulting in severe depression.

 

[Creator002]

To be honest, nothing happens. I continue as normal. Actually, I prefer solitude to company. To me, its like a warm blanket.

This is me. I stayed at my cousin's house while they were away for a week. Only time I got a bit anxious was when I noticed the money pot was drying up.

 

[Hosker]

We've all been left alone for a few days. Alone, with little or no physical or emotional contact with others, no one to help or guide us, no one to give comfort.

Is it any wonder some of us go a little bit crazy?

I myself become incredibly paranoid. Even though I live rurally in the sleepiest place in the world, I carry my pocket knife with me everywhere, wear warm and heavy clothes, grow out my facial hair (for some reason...) try to find comfort in anything and everything, I begin to truly fear death, think about if there really is a God and a Devil and start to half-believe in stupid fucking things like 2012 and the Illuminati.

It turns me from a proud and confident guy, walking with my chest thrown out and a smile on my face, into a creeping skulker, hunched over on myself and clinging desperately to comforts.

It's bizzare and unnerving, and pretty damn scary to know this can happen to myself, that I am truly this fragile.

Why I'm making this thread? It's happening to me right now, and I find it fascinating...
Is it just my survival instincts kicking in? I don't know.

What happens to you, if anything? What strange turns does your thinking take? What happens to your temperament?

You may interested to find out whether you are introverted or extroverted. As a rule: introverts prefer to be alone while extroverts don't.

Short test: http://www.okcupid.com/tests/the-introvert-extrovert-test1
Longer but more accurate test: http://www.personal.psu.edu/j5j/IPIP/ipipneo120.htm

It already sounds as though you're extroverted, but it will be good to find out as it will be the reason you don't like being alone.

OT: It really doesn't make much difference to me; when someone else is in the house I just stay in my room anyway.

 

[Hosker]

I generally prefer being left on my own. I can do what I want, when I want...

As such was the case when my parents last went on a family holiday, and took my sibling with them. That was until I heard an odd noise coming from the back of my house, specifically the bathroom... I did what anyone naturally does, I grabbed a sword and went to investigate. Turns out a guy was half way through the bathroom window... thusly, I now get somewhat paranoid when on my own for extended durations.

What happened then? Did he just run off? The best way to make sure no one breaks in is to leave lights on around the house but make it so people can't see in, probably.

 

[Ambi]

I generally prefer being left on my own. I can do what I want, when I want...

As such was the case when my parents last went on a family holiday, and took my sibling with them. That was until I heard an odd noise coming from the back of my house, specifically the bathroom... I did what anyone naturally does, I grabbed a sword and went to investigate. Turns out a guy was half way through the bathroom window... thusly, I now get somewhat paranoid when on my own for extended durations.

If you don't mind.. did he see you with the sword? If so, how did he react?

snip

I know that wasn't directed at me, but I did get something out of it. It helped clarify the position I am in now and reassure me that things will get better.

 

[A Pious Cultist]

Oh my god I'M ALONE RIGHT NOW THEWALLSARECLOSINGIN!!!

Nothing really happens aside from boredom?

 

[Angerwing]

Nothing. I tend to work better with being alone that I do with regularly being surrounded by people. Regardless, I do work a lot of the time, and my work is 100% interpersonal communication. I'm fairly psychologically secure, so I basically thrive mentally in most environments.