![]() The word boredom didn’t appear in the English lexicon until the mid-19th century. Several participants in the above referenced study on cabin fever defined their struggle as a reaction to “lack of stimulation.” Not only do we have unprecedented amounts of leisure time these days, but in our current culture of instant gratification and continual stimulation, we no longer know how to react when faced with lack of external stimuli. It manifests in one or several of the following ways… Boredom When the relative quiet and spaciousness of self-isolation causes mild or extreme discomfort, cabin fever has become a problem. As one study’s author noted, “It may be simplistic to suggest to people who are lonely that they should try to interact more with others.” Tackling cabin fever begins with awareness of your experience. Loneliness occurs in some who are surrounded by loved ones, and not at all in some who are quite literally alone. So why do some welcome the quiet while others abhor it? The science on loneliness is burgeoning thanks in part to an interest in caring for a growing elderly population that often finds themselves without living family or friends. Participants in one study defined cabin fever as “wanting to own a cabin in the wilderness.” Others see the Covid-19 quarantines as an opportunity to clean their homes, take up a new hobby, work on a creative project, or organize their closets. Not all of us react the same way to being alone. ![]() This extreme chain of events was the basis for cinema’s ultimate cabin fever breakdown, 1980’s The Shining. In the worst cases, severe delirium, hallucinations, and paranoia lead to (often self-directed) violence. The literature on solitary confinement is quite clear, social isolation can lead to psychiatric disturbance and agitated, confused states. Read more on our blog about the effects of quarantine on our brains and how to cope with it. Researchers liken this response to the benefit of hunger in keeping us fed. Studies demonstrate that when we are isolated, the brain tries to preserve hippocampal activity by triggering areas that motivate us to seek out social interaction. In its place, we see increased activity in the amygdala, the area of the brain in which we experience anxiety and fear, and where our reaction to stimuli is regulated. The stress of isolation decreases the plasticity of the hippocampus and eventually, as no new neurons are formed, the hippocampus ceases to function. It turns out chronic isolation triggers a decrease in the hippocampus, the area of our brains that is tied to memory and spatial awareness. Our brains are wired for social connection, an evolutionary advantage for animals like us who live cooperatively within societies. While there’s not a lot of research on cabin fever per se, there have been several studies done on the effects of social isolation on the human brain. The Effects Of Social Isolation On Our Brains Later in the 20th century, the term stir-crazy arose alongside the US punitive system it described the mental illness that developed after a long impris onment. The term cabin fever dates back to the early 1900’s and the Alaskan gold rush when early explorers would shut in for the entirety of the dark and cold winters. Settlers often suffered mental breakdowns after months or years of isolation on the desolate prairie landscape, 20 miles or more from one’s nearest neighbors. Early pioneers in the American West called it prairie madness. It’s long been known that isolation causes us socially-dependent human beings to go a little bonkers. ![]() The semantics of “ disease, disorder, or syndrome ” aside, there’s no doubt that solitary confinement, or even confinement alongside our closest family, changes the brain. ![]() Whether we’re just lonely and bored, or dealing with a mental illness, cabin fever is very real for the one who’s experiencing it. Extreme cases are more often classified as depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or claustrophobia. What Is Cabin Fever? The Research Behind ItĮxperts are hesitant to label cabin fever as a disorder. It’s possible to be with ourselves, without the accompanying suffering. In this time of quarantine, we have the option to agonize over cabin fever or to tackle it head on. As Blaise Pascal famously mused in the 17th century age of enlightenment, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Being alone is difficult, yet presents us with an extraordinary opportunity for personal growth. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |