In fact, being lonely during adulthood is quite normal. It peaks for adults in the 25-34 age group – sometimes called the 'age of anxiety' – when you have the pressures of travelling, finding a life partner, building a career, buying a house, and starting a family.
Most notably, researchers found that loneliness rates peak among people in their 20s, and reach their lowest point among those in their 60s. Many people also experience a spike in lonely feelings around their mid-40s.
When you think about lonely people, you tend to think exclusively about older people who are more at risk of social isolation. But the truth is that you can be chronically lonely at any age.
The 20s are a time of transition and change, and this can be a difficult and stressful time for many people. The pressure to succeed in career, relationships, and finding a sense of identity can take a toll on mental health. Many young adults experience feelings of anxiety and depression during their 20s.
Terrible 20s - The need-to-know
At one time, most people didn't experience their first depressive episode until their late 40s or 50s; today, depression typically first appears around age 25.
Real stories related to depression and low mood
Going through different emotions is part of life. While it can feel worrying as a parent, it is normal for young people to feel low sometimes, and this can be a natural response to what's happening around them.
“Being 28 and single is not a bad thing. Society, friends, culture, all ask the question, “When are you going to get married?” Don't rush to make a lifelong commitment that will change your life forever.
Young adults and depression
Although the 20s are typically considered the years of exploration and having fun, depression in young adults is not uncommon.
The truth is that many single people often feel lonely, even if they aren't lonely all the time. Single loneliness is actually common and a chance for growth.
There is not one single cause of loneliness. Loneliness can often be a result of life changes or circumstances that include living alone, changing your living arrangements, having financial problems, or death of a loved one.
It is completely normal for a person of any age to be single and have never been in a relationship before. There are many reasons why someone may choose to be single or may not have been in a relationship before, and these reasons can vary greatly from person to person.
Contrary to what your friends, family or society might say, if you're happy being single, that's awesome. "There are some people, many of them women, who do have a sense that they should be single," psychologist, image consultant and dating expert Dr. Jennifer Rhodes tells Bustle. If that describes you, embrace it.
Being single does not mean you are bad at relationships. In fact, research shows people are staying single for longer and settling down older, and some are choosing to be that way forever. Singledom shouldn't be regarded as anything to be pitied — it should be embraced.
The early twenties last from 20 to 23 years and 4 months. The mid-twenties last from 23 years and 4 months to 26 years and 8 months. The late twenties start at 26 years and 8 months until you turn 30. So 24 is considered to be the start of your mid-20s.
You're also more likely to develop depression if you are between ages 45 and 64, nonwhite, or divorced, and if you never graduated high school, can't work or are unemployed, and don't have health insurance.
The average age of onset for major depressive disorder is between 35 and 40 years of age. Onset in early adulthood may be linked with more depressive episodes, a longer duration of illness, and therefore a more difficult clinical course.
The youngest and oldest Americans are the most likely to be single – 41% of those ages 18 to 29 and 36% of those 65 and older say they are single, compared with 23% of those 30 to 49 and 28% of those 50 to 64. These age differences bely huge differences by gender.
And, according to the findings, the average age you'll find your partner varies from gender to gender. That's right - the research found that the average woman finds their life partner at the age of 25, while for men, they're more likely to find their soulmate at 28.
Dating in one's late 20s can be a challenging and often overwhelming experience. The shift in societal norms, the dwindling pool of eligible partners, and the heightened focus on personal and professional goals are just a few of the factors that contribute to the difficulties of dating in this age range.
For many young people, loneliness peaks in their 20s after they graduate from a college or university. It's the first time in our lives where we don't have a built-in system of friends that we see every day.
Looking first at self-reports of ongoing stress, we found that people experience a sharp increase in stress levels in their late twenties and early thirties. Stress levels increase more moderately during the thirties and forties, remain steady for about 20 years, and then drop sharply as retirement comes around.
This rule states that by dividing your own age by two and then adding seven you can find the socially acceptable minimum age of anyone you want to date. So if you're a 24-year-old, you can feel free to be with anyone who is at least 19 (12 + 7) but not someone who is 18.