I'm A Psychiatrist – Here's When Winter Isolation Is Healthy And When To Worry

“It can be a warning sign if someone repeatedly cancels plans or stops responding to messages.”

The nights are long, and the days are cold. By the time work’s ended, the sky’s already cloaked itself in a deep, defeated navy; even the sun wants to go to bed as soon as feasibly possible.

Perhaps it’s no wonder 42% of UK adults surveyed said winter made friendships harder to maintain.

But if I’m being really honest with myself, this doesn’t fully explain my current hermit-like behaviour. I’ve been slower than usual to reply to texts, and my already-low social battery has become almost depleted.

Ironically, I’m not alone. Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Claudia Aymerich, a psychiatrist from Berkeley Psychiatrists, explained: “When winter arrives, withdrawing socially can be the result of several factors working together, rather than one single cause.”

Nor is it always a cause for concern. “People have different social needs, and it is reasonable to want quieter evenings, more rest and fewer commitments when the weather is unpleasant, or energy levels are lower,” she added.

Still, sometimes, the habit is worth investigating further. Here, the expert explained why we can crave solo time in winter, and when it might be a good idea to consider seeking help.

Why do I self-isolate in winter?

As Dr........

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