In pain? Doc says maybe you’re just lonely

For some people, the holiday season only seems to make their loneliness worse.

Doctors are seeing this in patients who come in complaining about physical symptoms with no obvious cause.

“They may be in pain and we try and ask questions about who they’re living with and how often they get out of the house to see other people.”

Dr. Danny Low practices family medicine at Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center. He will find that patients will come into his clinic just to be able to interact with another human being.

“Seeing those same people — maybe those people who treated their parents — can be really relieving to chat with someone who you know and who knows your story.”

It would be easy to tell them that they really don’t need a physician. But Dr. Low says that would be a mistake because he sees loneliness as a public health crisis, every bit as serious as smoking and heart failure.

“Data shows a strong association with loneliness and cardiovascular disease. There’s a risk of early mortality of up to 30 percent.”

I have a more pedestrian question. Is a loneliness diagnosis covered by insurance?

“It is not and that is one of the challenges.”

Fortunately the prescription is usually inexpensive: A phone call. A family dinner. Joining a group project. In fact, if you know someone who’s lonely, the prescription could be an invitation from you.

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