Why does Carson McCullers use the term malady to describe American loneliness?

A malady refers to a disease or an ailment. In Carscon McCullers Loneliness is an American disease in which Americans are described as people who don't like being lonely. It is great fear that strikes the hearts of many Americans that o be alone connotes loneliness. That each one of his countrymen is in an on-going quest to answer questions about themselves and how others can perceive them.