From what I've seen, loneliness hits all demos regardless of age, race, marital status, etc. However, I think the younger ones seem to have a harder time dealing with it while the older ones, while still just as lonely, often adopt a more philosophical attitude. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule!

I think the saddest thing is the large number of young people who are lonely these days. At a time in their lives when they should be footloose and fancy-free, this cold world has given birth to many, many lonely children. That breaks my heart.

i was alone when i was young too, i lived in NYC for 4 years i was like 21, not one soul would talk to me.

I would sit in restaurant and hope someone stroke a conversation.
But noone would, it was even hard to make friends at the dance school i attended....

In my case isolation follows me there is a cosmic curse put on me;
Solitary confinement for this one.God must have thought.

I think that the older you get, the more you get used to being alone/lonely-you sort of adapt to it(atleast that the is way it has been for me). I'm not saying that I like, but I have gotten used to it.

It has been my experience that the older one gets the chances of being lonely are greater.

There are exceptions of course. One has to work harder to find resources in order to meet people. DS is a good start and all some people have.

Seems people of all ages find friends here if they put themselves out.

Take care and feel free to talk to me anytime.

I felt much lonlier when I was younger, especially my teenage years, now the older I get the easier I find it to do something to distract myself and so even tho I'm lonely I don't care as much.

Hi, I was terribly lonely when I was young, and now I've more than doubled those ages, and feel terribly lonely now, again. When I was younger I didnt know how to help the lonliness, so sometimes I would go and 'party' to fill it up. Drink. Now looking back, I think it was easier to find people to temporary 'fill' up the lonliness. Especially if your a cute girl. Now, I don't drink, not so cute no more, not thin no more and people my age are busy with their families. I also have less energy after work to do things, so I stay home alone. (all the time). I've developed maturity and character (so they say). Though it still hurts. And still makes me cry. I guess it is just two sides of the same coin. I think i'm on the tail's side now. Because it sure doesnt feel like heads up lol.

Paxil helped bring me out of my own skin. So I am more open and confident with people. Still, friends are hard to come by.

I think you can be lonely at any age, it's finding people you can relate to. Life changes constantly and your friends grow apart but you can find new friends. I have met a few people at my local coffee shop and a woman I met there who was a nurse has met a lot of people there, some she knew from years ago. Some other ways to meet new people are to take a class or join a gym but the coffee shop is the easiest.

A lot of times I chose loneliness over whatever I was afraid of...like telling someone how I felt/what I wanted/didn't reach out...that sort of thing, I closed off, had a hard time adjusting to married life in a new environment. I was always surrounded by family and kids, but struggling at how much of myself I had to shelve...there was some selfishness in me back then...people can't read my mind...and I think I expected them to. I also missed the much smaller west coast beach city I used to live in and couldn't figure out the
big city landlocked suburbs at all...it was culture shock...lawn olympics, there was a nervous elderly neighbor lady who was packing heat ...probably sounds weird, but that was the neighborhood.

All a part of growing up... going through big changes and self doubt.

Then I entered a new phase, embraced new people, new things..had an over the top busy, fun life for many years.

Then I got sick, lonely is different now, I have a lot of limitations and can't live life in the fast lane. I'm finally relaxed with myself, accept myself, but can't do much...what a squirrel I am. Now I would really appreciate having a mate (eventually), friends who drop by...sharing dinners, watching movies, hanging out, but have the reality of chronic conditions...and everybody tells me if you just lived closer...I live in the far north woods...a long way from the heart of the city and my old life.

I'm working on reaching out again...I'm developing a rhythm after being home full time since mid-year. I am gaining ground, closer to family and kids...working on the rest of the story. I see real progress. Now I'm talking to all of my siblings regularly, talking to more of my friends and seeing the kids...but the mate thing...I don't know...I ended a long term relationship and I'm kind of liking doing my own thing. Not ready to date, be a girlfriend...nope, not right now. There is a general longing, if I didn't have to go on date dates...could just skip all that...maybe next year.

In general no I don't think loneliness discriminates.

I am lonely but I don't intend to remain lonely. I am a guy who is starting to get it. Wow was I dumb. Good topic.