Homesickness
Encyclopedia : H : HO : HOM : Homesickness
Homesickness is generally described as a feeling of longing for one's familiar surroundings. It frequently occurs when one travels or, more rarely, when one experiences a sense of tumult within a familiar context. Homesickness is especially common in youth - one may experience a sense of dread or helplessness on their first day of school, or on a protracted summer vacation away from their parents, or during university, when many "leave the nest."
Symptoms
Symptoms in homesickness may be purely psychological emotions or, in extreme cases, cause mild health problems. While there is no "universal symptom" of homesickness, most describe it as a want or longing to be back home (this want may be caused by missing family, friends, or a familiar environment). People may describe their feelings as a deep sadness, depression, frustration, anger, hopelessness, or even suicidal thoughts. Sometimes the feelings are so intense that one may experience physical symptoms, listed below.In extreme cases, health problems may occur. This is similar to the stress reaction: one who is stressed may have cramps, ulcers, diarrhea, headaches, tense muscles, vomiting, etc. In both cases, various people have various symptoms; once again, there is no "universal symptom". People who have severe homesickness, though, may experience nausea, diarrhea, headache, crying (tears), etc.
Psychologists say that the best way to alleviate homesickness is to bring along "transitional objects" such as photographs or tape-recorded messages from family members. Those mementos can alleviate the uncomfortable feelings when people are away from home.
Homesickness in literature
This emotion has been explored in literature for centuries, and is a prominent theme in many heroic epics, such as the Odyssey, by Homer. In these tales, a hero will have an overwhelming desire to reach their familiar surroundings, often geographic, and many times including a love interest. They are willing to risk life and limb in fantastic circumstances in order to recapture this lost homeland. Some modern novelists have turned this idea on its head by having the protagonist reach the geographic location where "home" existed, but find that he has romanticized his memories of home or the familiar aspects of home have been replaced with foreign ones, often paralleling the foreign circumstances against which he has fought on his journey back.
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