Psychologist Commentary: Why Are So Many Young Adult Men Lonely?

Britney Spears sang about her loneliness in her massive worldwide 1998 hit, "...Baby One More Time." But a recent Gallup survey, with data from 2023 and 2024, found that a high number of men are feeling lonely, too. In fact, the survey found that 1 in 4 men report feeling lonely. That is quite a high percentage, and you may have thoughts about why that is.

First, does this statistic match what you have seen in your own life? Have you come across a lot of young men who feel isolated or lonely? The other question that's important to ask: Are these men engaging in positive ways to try to solve the problem?

In my new video on my YouTube channel, Dr. Seth: Psychologist, I talk about this issue. I also have hundreds of self-improvement videos available for you on my channel that you can check out!

What Does It Mean If You Can't Let Someone Go?

There may be some relationships in your life that stop working for you, and you may be able to accept that you need to let a problematic relationship go and move on. There may be other situations, however, where you find that it is extremely difficult to let someone go, even if you trust that letting them go is the best thing for you to do.

What does it mean if you have an extremely hard time letting someone go? If you keep replaying thoughts in your head about and continue to feel upset? 

Check out my new video where I provide an explanation on this topic that I hope is helpful.

How Does a Person Actually Know If They Have Low Self Esteem: Psychologist Dr. Seth Explains

Think about this question for a moment: Does every person who has low self-esteem know their self-esteem is low? In addition, would they admit to other people? Finally -- and this is an important question to think about -- do they always admit to themselves?

As a psychologist for over 20 years, I have found that many people who struggle with self-esteem don't want to truly believe they have low self-esteem. To prevent them from feeling bad about themselves, people have ______________ (fill in the blank). The answer: defense mechanisms.

Check out my new video on this topic and it might get you thinking about your own life and your own self-esteem.

The Real Definition of Gaslighting -- And How People Often Use the Term Incorrectly

Gaslighting is a word that - no doubt - has entered the culture with a force and is likely here to stay. The problem is that many people may misuse the term. In fact, I have heard people in everyday conversation to someone having gaslit them when actually all the person did was annoy them or refused to take accountability for something. But gaslighting has a very specific meaning. 

Check out my new quick video on the topic which offers perfect clarity on what gaslighting really is!

How to Have Uncomfortable Conversations in Any Relationship

In my episode of podcast Psyched! with Dr. Seth, I discuss a few different topics to keep it extra interesting! 

On the lighter, more fun side, I share commentary on the Netflix show The Hunting Wives is the perfect definition of a guilty pleasure. Actress Malin Ackerman is so good -- but I talk about how I wonder how comfortable she is being sexual with so many people in every single episode!

In addition, I talk about some of the defense mechanisms people use in relationships to avoid taking accountability or responsibility for things they do or say that hurt another person.

Check out the new episode below!

How to Deal with Someone Who Gets Defensive and Won't Validate How You Feel

Do you have a relationship with anyone who dodges accountability when you try to talk to them because you're upset with someone they said or did to you? It could be a friend, romantic partner, a family member, or even someone at work.

This behavior -- someone avoiding accountability -- can be very frustrating. They resist taking any ownership of their behavior negatively impacting you, and they often resort to a few different manipulation tactics when you try to talk to them.

Watch my video and try to avoid getting frustrated as you watch it, because these avoidance behaviors are inevitably difficult to deal with!