What is home sickness?

Homesickness can be defined as distress and functional impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from home and people and things you’re familiar. Its cognitive hallmark is preoccupying thoughts of home and attachment objects. It suffers a typically report a combination of depressive and anxious symptoms, withdrawn behavior and difficulty focusing on topics unrelated to home. All people missing something about home when they are away, making homesickness a universal experience. 

Some surrounding, people and routines provide sense of security and comfort. The new place you may find yourself missing the comforts of home and loved ones. The homesick feelings are normal and some people find little loneliness, sadness or anxiety. Others may have physical symptoms such as, stomach or headache, or becomes depressed. Once the new surrounding and people become more familiar, feelings of homesickness go away.

Again if you feel overwhelmed, it is a good idea to seek help from the school. Or campus counselor and an additional stress in life such as divorce or death in the family, homesickness can become intense. It can happen when you cope with other loss or change, you’ll feel attached to things that brings you comfort and miss them more.

Signs and symptoms

• ·         Nostalgia
• ·         Depression
• ·         Withdrawal
• ·         Sadness
• ·         Agoraphobia
• ·         Grief
• ·         Claustrophobia

Common effects

• ·         Behavior problems

• ·         Feelings of haplessness
• ·         Coping deficits
• ·         Low self esteem
• ·         Social problems
• ·         Academic difficulty

Coping with homesickness

• ·         Find new ways –try new ways to meet and connect with people in places like clubs, sport steams, college activities and study groups.
• ·         Talk to someone- consult you trusted friend such as family members, team mate, close friend about you’re feeling.
• ·         Patient- you must be used to new environment and develop friend’s ships thought it takes time.
• ·         Take care of yourself- practice healthy lifestyles in other areas of your life to ensure that other things of your well-being are healthy and have enough sleep.