What counterproductive cycle does social withdrawal create when reacting to stress?
Answer
Stress causes isolation, and isolation removes natural buffers that could alleviate stress
Social withdrawal is a common reaction when stress levels are high, often stemming from irritability or feeling that socializing is yet another demanding activity that drains limited energy reserves. This isolation, however, establishes a difficult feedback loop. While the individual withdraws to conserve energy, social connections often serve as crucial external buffers—providing supportive conversations, perspective, or emotional validation. By cutting off these supportive avenues, the stressor is left unmitigated, reinforcing the initial need to isolate due to the continuing internal burden.
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