Re: It's Official: Science says lonely people for more likely to die young...

"There is a definite difference in being alone and being lonely."

I agree. However, my point, perhaps more clearly stated is that one can be alone forever and not be "lonely"; "lonely" is a state of mind that can spiral downward into Depression etc. etc.

"Lonely" is also a feeling that can be socially "programed" into people as can be depression.

For instance, I know many men & women who have everything they "need" but little of what they "want" who are not only "lonely" and "depressed", but walking around with a defeated attitude. They are most often on drugs for the same conditions... their "wants" being brought on through societies programing and "deifinitions" of what a comfortable lifestle is, including the behaviors and social life that goes with it etc. etc. etc.

I also agree with...

"I would venture to say, like everything else, the statistics will show more women. That is only because men are not as likely to admit they are lonely, just as they are not as likely to admit they are depressed, suffer from panic attacks etc."

What I take some issue with is;

"When men suffer from these conditions they are affected more severly than women because they involve their "ego.""

I know many women who have ego issues (think gender role changes, equality etc.)... and most of them are affected by these things much more severely than the men I know.