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 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")