What is the difference between a recluse and a hermit?

Since the label is applied by someone else and certainly is different in EVERY, single case, the answer, as the application, is entirely subjective.

I think a ‘recluse’ can still be a recluse while accepting outside assistance; think Howard Hughes. To me a ‘hermit’ implies going off away from everyone for whatever reason, while a recluse could be in the middle of a city, just keeping to him/herself. I don’t think you would have to be wealthy but those are the ones who get in the news. And I also don’t think it is necessarily an indication of some kind of mental condition… although again, it’s a better news story if the person is crazy as a bedbug. I don’t know anyone of either description- wait a minute- maybe it’s me!! lol

I don’t think there’s much of a difference. Each are very shy and antisocial.

I don’t think that always means they’re mentally unstable. It would all depend on how they live the rest of their lives. They might go out for medical treatment and to go shopping. It could just mean they don’t socialize with other people.

The question is really too vague to be able to say for sure.

I think a recluse is someone who avoids people while a hermit is someone who lives in a physically isolated region in order to avoid people.

I don’t think that either type of person is necessarily mentally ill although they may be.

I don’t think that if they were forced to seek medical treatment it would necessarily change their designation as long as they didn’t begin regularly socializing.

One’s passive while the latter is “crabby”

I would prefer to be a recluse, and I cannot be a hermit. Dictionaries separate the two on the grounds of religious inclination. The two words are usually synonyms, but as @ccrow said recluse is usually applied to someone living the wealthy life, and hermit to someone who isn’t. Again, neither situation is required, as a hermit has retreated from the world for religious and spiritual growth and exploration, but could have the wealth.

@DaphneT My exact thought. A recluse has money, a hermit doesn’t.

GQ. In looking up the words’ etymology, there is a slight difference: A hermit tends to get out and live off of the land vs. a recluse who is holed away. In both cases, they have the desire to be anti-social. It could be due to a difference in their personality make-up or for a spiritual reason.

Are either mentally disturbed or suffering in some way? It seems like we all want time to be alone, and some desire it more than others. Since hermits and recluses have chosen their lifestyle, I’d venture a guess that they are happier in solitude than attempting to survive in a sociable environment. Then again, it depends upon why they chose this way of life.

I don’t personally know any person who is a recluse. My ex-BIL probably qualifies as a hermit. He lives on 17 acres of rural land in an old farmhouse. There is well and cistern for water, a garden and an outhouse. The few bills that he has are funded by doing odd jobs in the local town, mainly for elderly widows. He rarely talks, and when he does, it’s to impart information that a stranger would find odd. For those of us who have been around him for years, we’ve learned to accept it.

As for the need of medical assistance, I’m not sure what you mean. There are plenty of people that avoid medical care whether they are anti-social or not.

To me, a recluse is someone who just prefers to keep to themselves most of the time but still functions when in public, and a hermit is someone who makes a point of hiding away and avoiding society at all costs.

I kind of consider myself a recluse, but I’m no more mentally ill than you are.

@DaphneT I didn’t actually say that, I just used a well-known example who was wealthy. I was getting at something more like what @Pied_Pfeffer said. More like, a recluse wants to keep away from other people while a hermit wants to get away from everything. Either way, no money necessary:-)

I think recluse and hermit (like shy) are often labels used to dismiss introverts in a society that is mostly made up of extroverts and is somewhat distrusting of introverts. I think this is mostly due to misconceptions, like that people who value and choose solitude and introspection have something to hide. In some cases (Ted Kascynski) that’s true. But it’s also true of some very social, extroverted people (Ted Bundy).

Some artists prefer solitude. Some celebrities seek out solitude.

Also, many people who are considered reclusive or to be hermits actually have a small social circle of people and are very active within that group. Johnny Depp, Georgia O’Keeffe, Howard Hughes, Henry David Thoreau were/are all considered to be reclusive.

I’m an introvert and I prefer solitude or small crowds. Many people would consider me a recluse or a hermit.

One doesn’t want to be around other people. The other cannot.

! agree with @GoldieAV16

I am a naturally very extroverted type that has chosen a lot of solitude in my middle age the last handful of years. I am a creative type, I write, and also live on a secluded rural property that I often refer to as my personal “Walden Pond.” For me solitude has enhanced my psychological and spiritual development, I have become very at peace and content with going days or sometimes weeks at a time just doing my own thing.
I also love just being in nature and communing with myself and my animals.

Solitude is invaluable for getting to know oneself and learning to be content with your own company. I think I have attained full balance between my social side and my need for space and solitude. I often joke about being an “extroverted hermit.” ;-)
Personally I don’t trust people that cannot be alone with themselves at times, it screams of insecurity and a profound neediness.

I think it’s a matter of degree. A recluse may not go out of the house, but still retains some connections with the world to survive. A hermit has NO contact with people. The picture I get is the old lady recluse who may have servants and people to help her and the hermit who has no one. Stereotypical, I know.
Mentally ill? Not necessarily. You’d have to talk to them to find out.

Most hermits DO have contact with people – it’s just a select group, limited interaction, specific routines. You can read up on some self described hermits here.

I agree with @WillWorkForChocolate. I too consider myself a recluse (I prefer the term Solitary). I don’t think I’m mentally ill (but then who isn’t?) and I can function in public when I have to, I just don’t enjoy it. It’s nothing wrong with appreciating your own company. In fact I think I’m better for it. Being functional in public doesn’t change that status, everyone does things they don’t like to do/or that doesn’t come naturally but it has to get done.

I’m not sure how to answer a question with such stereotypes and generalizations. I don’t think that wanting to be alone most of the time implies mental illness, and technically I could easily say that most extroverts are mentally ill with their need of drama and reliance upon others for acceptence and happiness. Also many people have very negative experiences with others through little fault of their own so maybe I could say that the people responsible for causing the person to isolate themselves are mentally ill as well.

Generally hermits resort to isolation due to specific reasons such as religion, spirituality, mental clearence, etc. A recluse is more likely to isolate themselves due to mental illness, bad social experiences or just preferring a more introverted lifestyle. For the record I know of a few who live a reclusive lifestyle, and I’ve found several of these guys to behave more civily as well as being more mentally stable than many of the extroverted people that I know. Being a recluse does not mean that one is mentally ill automatically.

My thoughts are the same as @Paradox25. Great answer.

@Paradox25 You make some valid points, however, I think we all need to be careful about “labeling” personality types. I’m an extrovert and I do not crave drama, so maybe I am an enlightened extrovert. lol Extroverts are energized by social interaction, we enjoy stimulating experiences, conversations, activities, but vivaciousness, gregariousness and enjoying people connections do not automatically delegate extroverts to drama mongers.

ALL personality types shift and morph over a lifetime. I’m a good example of this developmental curve. Extroverts usually want to swiftly resolve a relational issue, and many introverts can be avoidant and fearful of confrontation and conflict resolution.
This is where “drama” can arise between temperaments. The “lay all your cards on the table, lets work this out NOW” vs. the head in the sand strategy. ALL personality types can greatly benefit from personal growth work, extroverts learning to relax and let go and introverts learning to step up to the plate when called for. ;-)

@Coloma I had a feeling that I would be called out on that one. I should had said some extroverts. Actually if we accepted that not all people are the same and treated each other with dignity there probably would be less recluses. Obviously a person with an individualist mindset will have a difficult time adjusting in a conformist society. I tend to live a more reclusive lifestyle myself since I’ve found, through personal experiences, that only conflict arises when I force myself to come out of character and associate with people that I just do not click with. Ironically I’ve found my most lonely moments to be where I was with other groups of people that I just didn’t resonate with.

In response to your most latter sentence all I can say is that introverts do step up to the plate in their own ways. I’ve seen quite a few scenerios where extroverts can’t step up to the plate. Also (and in fairness) not all introverts know how to relax and let go either, lol.

@Paradox25 Touche! You’re on a roll…lol ;-)

Very interesting replies and I am still wondering then, how do these people fund their reclusive hermit behavior? maybe @Coloma could throw some light on the situation, as she claims to be reclusive. I just find it interesting because I wish to be one. But how do you fund it? Also I cannot wander into the bush here it is too unsafe. So couldn’t live in a shack and grow my own food.your life sounds fabulous by the way coloma

@Shippy How to fund a reclusive lifestyle: Unless you win the lottery, inherit a sizable amount of money or marry a rich person, it’s going to be difficult without working. Is there something that allows you to work at home? Many artists do so. Technology also allows more people to work from home. They still have to have a minimum of interaction with others. The difference is that they mainly have the ability to choose who it is.

@Shippy I have been able to work part time the last 7–8 years or so, with the state of the economy I am having to do more than I would prefer to again, but I have always chosen time over money and live quite well on moderate means. :-)
My personalty typology clearly states that money is not my types main motivational factor, it is fun, creativity and flexibility in my work. Something I strive for even if it means less cash. :-)

I’d rather make 20k a year having fun in a low stress environment than 100k in a hellish high stress zone. No thanks, I gotta be free! ;-)

@Coloma I hear you I have been there done that my whole life. Always dancing to the beat of the corporate drum. Nothing worse and left me soulless. Could be an age thing for me too. It’s my time now and life is short!