The word 'homesickness' was coined in 1798 to describe one’s feelings of near depression or a combination of depressive and anxious symptoms when they are away from home. Homesickness is an emotional state of mind where the affected person gets strong feelings of longing due to separation from home environment and thus develops a withdrawn behavior and difficulty focusing on topics unrelated to home. The Oxford English Dictionary describes homesickness as a feeling one has when missing home. Feelings of longing are often accompanied by anxiety and depression. These symptoms may range from mild to severe. Basically, homesickness symptoms show up when a person has to live in an unfamiliar environment.

Homesickness is a well-documented phenomenon and especially common in youth. Though it can be felt by anyone, it is most prominent amongst the teenagers who leave their home for studies. It is very common among first-year students who never had any previous experience of staying away from home. Though college life brings lot of dreams and expectations for the students, most of them soon start feeling homesick. The main reason for the development of such a feeling is change. Sometimes, students feel it when they change their college and join a new one. When students enter college, they leave behind the comfort that their home and parents provided them. In a place where everything is new, right from their room to the faces that they see in their surroundings, it is natural to feel lonely and isolated. They miss the support they received back at home from their family and friends and find it difficult to share their feelings.

Symptoms:

Some people may only feel a little loneliness, sadness, or anxiety. Others may also suffer from physical symptoms. 

~ Physical symptoms range from constant or frequent crying, difficulty sleeping, and changes in appetite, to nausea, dizziness, stomachache or headache. 

~ Mental symptoms include depression, anxiety and lack of concentration. The feelings that are mostly identified with homesickness are nostalgia, grief, depression, anxiety, sadness, withdrawal, and adjustment disorders. 

Most of the time, once the new surroundings and people become more familiar, feelings of homesickness go away. But sometimes the symptoms are overwhelming. Though homesickness is not a very serious issue, if not handled at the proper time, it can lead to dangerous circumstances. Students, who do not learn to deal with homesickness, may go into depression and sometimes may lean towards alcohol and drugs. In such severe cases, apart from counseling homeopathy can serve a big deal.


How can Homeopathy help?

There are 52 remedies mentioned in Robin Murphy under the rubric MIND, Homesickness, nostalgia. Of these some of the frequently used remedies are Bryonia, Capsicum, Carbo-animalis, Clematis, Helleborus, Ignatia, Mag-mur, Merc-sol, Nat-m, Phos-acid and Senecio. Besides, Bach flower remedy, Honeysuckle is also of great support in such patients. These medicines when selected appropriately help those to lift themselves up who always tend to live in the past and are attached to 'happier times'. Whatever they feel they have lost, be it through bereavement, divorce, loss of material possessions etc. it keeps them locked in the past. They do not expect further happiness such as they have had. Taking support of these homeopathic remedies will help them to deal with the grief and to happily live in the present.

It is always advised to avoid self-diagnosis and over-the-counter medication. If you feel you are suffering from homesickness, then consult your homeopathic physician for the same. For online consultation with us or any related queries call our expert homeopathic doctors and book an appointment with us.


Disclaimer: The author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.