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Cabin fever is the distressing irritability or restlessness experienced when a person, or group, is stuck at an isolated location or in confined quarters for an extended time. A person may be referred to as stir-crazy, derived from the use of ''stir'' meaning "prison". A person may experience cabin fever in a situation such as being isolated within a
vacation A vacation (American English) or holiday (British English) is either a leave of absence from a regular job or school or an instance of leisure travel away from home. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances or for sp ...
cottage out in the countryside, spending long periods underwater in a submarine, or being otherwise isolated from civilization, for instance during a
stay-at-home order A stay-at-home order, safer-at-home order, movement control order – also referred to by loose use of the terms quarantine, isolation, or lockdown – is an order from a government authority that restricts movements of a population as a mass qu ...
or under
martial law Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties ...
. During cabin fever, a person may experience sleepiness or sleeplessness, have a distrust of anyone they are with, or have an urge to go outside even in adverse conditions such as poor weather or limited visibility. The concept is also invoked humorously to indicate simple
boredom In conventional usage, boredom, , or tedium is an emotion characterized by Interest (emotion), uninterest in one's surrounding, often caused by a lack of distractions or occupations. Although, "There is no universally accepted definition of bo ...
from being home alone for an extended period of time. Cabin fever itself is not a disease and there is no diagnosis. However, related symptoms can lead the sufferer to make irrational decisions that could potentially threaten their life or the life of the group with whom they are confined. Some examples would be suicide or paranoia, or leaving the safety of a cabin during a significant
snowstorm A winter storm (also known as snow storm) is an event in which wind coincides with varieties of precipitation that only occur at freezing temperatures, such as snow, Rain and snow mixed, mixed snow and rain, or freezing rain. In Continental cl ...
that one may be stuck in.


Therapy

One effective therapy for cabin fever involves engaging with nature. Research indicates that even short interactions with nature can enhance cognitive functioning, improve mood, and contribute to overall well-being. Escaping the confinement of the indoors and experiencing different scenery can assist individuals suffering from cabin fever in alleviating their mental distress. Exposure to the outdoors may stimulate both the brain and body, helping to mitigate feelings of claustrophobia, paranoia, and restlessness commonly associated with this condition. There is little evidence of those suffering from cabin fever seeing therapists or counselors for treatment; most sufferers simply discuss their symptoms with family or friends as a way of coping with feelings of loneliness and boredom. However, there are cases of "cabin fever" that are diagnosed as mid-winter depression, or
seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder subset in which people who typically have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year. It is commonly, but not always, associated w ...
(SAD).


In popular culture

The concept of cabin fever was used as a theme in
Fyodor Dostoevsky Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. () was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and journalist. He is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in both Russian and world literature, and many of his works are considered highly influent ...
's 1866 novel ''
Crime and Punishment ''Crime and Punishment'' is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was first published in the literary journal '' The Russian Messenger'' in twelve monthly installments during 1866.
'', Chaplin's 1925 film ''
The Gold Rush ''The Gold Rush'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film written, produced, and directed by Charlie Chaplin. The film also stars Chaplin in his The Tramp, Little Tramp persona, Georgia Hale, Mack Swain, Tom Murray (actor), Tom Murray, Henry Ber ...
'', Stefan Zweig's 1948 novella '' The Royal Game'', the 2011 children's comedy book '' Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever'', the 1980 horror film '' The Shining'' and ''
The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a Satire (film and television), satirical depiction of American life ...
'' episode " Mountain of Madness." In the 1996 film ''
Muppet Treasure Island ''Muppet Treasure Island'' is a 1996 American Musical film, musical Swashbuckler film, swashbuckler comedy film directed by Brian Henson and the fifth theatrical film featuring the Muppets. Adapted from the 1883 novel ''Treasure Island'' by Ro ...
'' the crew of the ''Hispaniola'' sing a production number about succumbing to cabin fever. The 2019 psychological horror film '' The Lighthouse'' depicts the story of two lighthouse keepers who start to lose their sanity when a storm strands them on the remote island where they are stationed. The television show
Mythbusters ''MythBusters'' is a science entertainment television series created by Peter Rees (producer), Peter Rees and produced by Beyond International in Australia. The series premiered on the Discovery Channel on January 23, 2003. It was broadcast in ...
had Adam and Jamie simulate a cabin fever scenario by isolating themselves in cabins in Alaska with no contact with the outside world and little stimuli. The hosts concluded that the myth of cabin fever was plausible since the hosts did develop some of the symptoms commonly associated with cabin fever, including irritability and excessive sleeping.


See also

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References

{{reflist Metaphors English-language idioms Popular psychology Adjustment disorders