Everyone goes through lonely patches. But sometimes, for many different reasons, feelings of loneliness can become persistent. If you relate to any these symptoms of chronic loneliness, you may benefit from reaching out to one of 5 free support hotlines in Spain.

Increased feelings of stress or anxiety.
Feeling that nobody "gets" you.
Finding it hard to relate to others.
Wanting to connect with others but feeling held back by social anxiety.
Feeling that life is meaningless.
Loss of confidence.
Increased desire to binge-watch TV shows or movies.
Connecting with people on a shallow level only.

If you've felt lonely for a long time, it's probably because you're feeling disconnected from others. There are many explanations for this and they differ from one person to the next. Whatever the reason for it, chronic loneliness can be a very painful and isolating experience.

You may be reluctant to ask for help, especially if it feels like nobody will relate to you and understand what you're going through. But getting help can relieve the emotional burden you're carrying and help you feel less isolated. There are compassionate helpline volunteers and counselors in Spain that want to support you.

If you think you might need support with loneliness, consider contacting a helpline in Spain for free, confidential help.