It is hyperbole, average people can cope with being disconnected from society. Some people who are lonely and develop these symptoms are better explained as re

It is hyperbole, average people can cope with being disconnected from society. Some people who are lonely and develop these symptoms are better explained as reaction from DPD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent_personality_disorder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent_personality_disorder In evolutionary terms, a lone hunter/traveler that becomes a shriveling ball of tears when completely alone doesn't pass the survival threshold: people are not evolved to die from being alone. Besides in the modern world, you're not "really alone" unless you live off-grid in some remote wilderness with no internet/phone/radio. Disconnecting from society is far harder than what people think of it(not using mobile devices 24/7 on your person is not "disconnection")