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HOW TO COPE WITH “CABIN FEVER” by Lisa Fritscher
An excerpt from VeryWellMind.com
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD and updated April 23, 2020
Cabin fever is a popular term for a relatively common reaction to being isolated in a building for a period of time. Some experts believe that cabin fever is a sort of syndrome, while others feel that it is linked to such disorders as seasonal affective disorder and claustrophobia. Cabin fever is ultimately rooted in intense isolation, which may reach the level of a specific phobia.
If you are experiencing cabin fever as a result of social distancing or self-quarantine in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you may be feeling additional stress beyond that which stems from simply being isolated. There are ways to combat the anxiety you may be feeling.
Not everyone suffering from cabin fever will experience exactly the same symptoms, but many people report feeling intensely irritable or restless. Other commonly experienced effects are:
Note that these symptoms may also be indicative of a wide range of other disorders, and only a trained mental health professional can make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, not everyone who fears being cooped up at home in the winter has cabin fever. Only when someone exhibits several of the symptoms mentioned above is a phobia more likely.
Like any mental or physical health condition, cabin fever is best treated with the assistance of a therapist or other trained mental health professional. You should contact your primary care doctor and set up an appointment to see him or her.
However, if your symptoms are relatively mild, taking active steps to combat your feelings may be enough to help you feel better.
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