40% of adults struggle with loneliness, AARP study says

(CBS, KYMA) - The holidays aren't always the most wonderful time of the year. For many Americans, it's a time of isolation.

According to a recent study from AARP, 40% of adults aged 45 and older struggle with loneliness, and men have higher rates of feeling lonely than women.

Mental health experts attribute the loneliness epidemic to a "me-versus-we" culture, and a fear of coming across as "needy."

"We're afraid to be vulnerable, we're afraid to ask for help. We think of it as a sign of weakness. Hyper-reliance, self-reliance, individualism, at the expense of the community is at the crux of it. Time management, attention management. We're living in the attention economy, right? I think all of these things push us to figure it out yourself."

Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist

Loneliness is an even bigger health concern for seniors.

Research shows social isolation significantly increases the risk of dementia, heart disease, depression, strokes, and premature death.