When we feel lonely, there are mechanisms triggered in our body that can actually perpetuate loneliness. One of them is that our threat perception increases. So you start to push people away at a time where you need to pull them in. The lonelier we are, the more we come to believe that we're lonely because we're not likable. That's why we have to want to recognize that and that if you understand that, that may give you an added reason to be empathic and understanding towards others who may seem like they're self-absorbed or may appear like they're Lou.