What is Cave Syndrome?

By Steven Booth, Founder, Elevation Behavioral Health

Cave syndrome, while not yet an official psychological diagnosis, is an issue affecting about half the population. As we bob in and out of this pandemic, many people struggle with reentry into society after such a long stint indoors. In particular, those who are fully vaccinated are worried about the potential risks of contracting COVID-19. Thus, the term cave syndrome, as in wishing to remain safely hunkered down at home.

There is no doubt that the world has been dealing with high levels of anxiety for the past eighteen months. The unpredictability of the virus, the illness and death reported regularly, and the impact on the economy and personal finances has left many in a vulnerable psychological state. The American Psychological Association has published its findings, further validating what many already know—the pandemic has been very hard on the mental health of our society.

Coming to grips with living alongside COVID-19 for the foreseeable future will entail learning better ways to mitigate anxiety, and to keep a healthy perspective about assessing actual risk.

What is Cave Syndrome?

Many people enthusiastically embraced vaccination as soon as the shots became available. The hope was to be able to move about more freely without the risk of contracting or transmitting the COVID-19 virus. Even so, this spring, when many of the restrictions were lifted, found many people, vaccinated or not, feeling quite hesitant about returning to normal life.

After establishing new daily lifestyle habits during the lockdowns and social distancing, it suddenly felt uncomfortable to abandon them. Many people had become accustomed to living a quieter, more solitary life. Additionally, they may have adapted well to working from home. Suddenly, the thought of returning to restaurants, the workplace, or boarding an airplane just didn’t sit right.

The features of cave syndrome are somewhat similar to other anxiety disorders, like agoraphobia or social anxiety. These disorders often result in the person avoiding any stress-inducing situations, much like those with cave syndrome do.

What is Covid Stress Syndrome?

When enough time has passed, mental health experts will be able to definitively describe and dissect the many ways the pandemic has affected our mental health. As it is, the term “covid stress syndrome” has already been coined for grouping these mental health outcomes under a general umbrella.

Covid stress syndrome refers to a collection of the psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse, that the pandemic has had on people since it began in March 2020. These include a myriad of issues that provoke fear, such as fear of becoming infected, fear of a loved one getting sick, fear of germs, and even Covid-related nightmares.

A clear connection has become evident between the pandemic and these negative effects. One of the most startling revelations was the recently released statistic of 93,000 overdose deaths have occurred in 2020, the highest rate ever recorded. Suicides were also on the rise during the pandemic.

Tips for Managing Anxiety During the Pandemic

When facing the future post-COVID-19, it will take a certain degree of courage and trust. As more people become vaccinated and/or recover from the virus, the higher the immunity will become in the population. Still, it is understandable to want to reenter regular life a bit cautiously. Variants are a continuing concern, and there is no hard and fast data on when the pandemic will actually end.

In the meantime, there are some actions you can take to help control feelings of stress and anxiety. Consider these tips to help manage stress in the coming months:

1. Reenter Slowly. If you are fearful of catching the virus, it is understandable. However, don’t allow the fear to keep you from reengaging in life. Take the process in little chunks, starting with some outdoor walks with a friend or meeting a friend at an outdoor dining setting
2. Limit the News. Because the news seems to be unrelenting regarding the pandemic, it helps to limit your exposure to it. Check out the headlines a couple of times a day, but otherwise, try to stay in a positive forward-moving mindset that allows you to be productive.
3. Practice Self-Care. If you find yourself frozen in anxiety, it helps to have some go-to relaxation techniques in your arsenal. Some of the best ways to reduce stress are getting some exercise, practicing yoga, mindfulness meditation, and deep breathing techniques.

Mental Health Disorders Related to Cave Syndrome

Cave syndrome shares some common traits with several mental health disorders. These include:

Social Anxiety. Social anxiety features an intense fear of being negatively judged or publicly humiliated, which can lead to serious impairment. This individual may avoid all types of social interaction or social events, even work-related events where their performance might be evaluated. This can lead to isolation and loneliness. Aspects of social anxiety relate to cave syndrome in that avoidance of social settings is a key trait.

Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia involves intense fear that is triggered when the individual feels they are trapped, helpless, or may be embarrassed, such as on a bus, a plane, in an elevator, on a ship. This type of anxiety disorder may result after a series of panic attacks and can lead to isolation. It can relate to cave syndrome in the tendency to avoid places or situations where exposure to the virus might occur.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD is characterized by symptoms of intense anxiety related to irrational fear. Examples are fear of germs or contamination, fear of angry or aggressive impulses, or an obsessive need for orderliness, cleanliness, or symmetry. In response to the fear, individuals adopt compulsive behaviors to help manage the anxiety that the irrational obsession induces. Obsessive checking in relation to avoiding the virus, and compulsive germ-avoidance tendencies, both dovetail with cave syndrome.

PTSD. PTSD is a disorder that results from an intensely traumatic experience, such as a violent assault, the sudden death of a loved one, sexual assault, a natural disaster, or a serious accident or illness. PTSD symptoms include recurring and disturbing memories of the event, vivid nightmares, avoiding people or places that may trigger memories of the event, being easily startled or frightened, and substance abuse. PTSD relates to cave syndrome in that deep fear of contracting the virus has culminated in sleep problems, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors.

If you continue to struggle with high levels of anxiety as society reopens and returns to normal, consider scheduling an appointment with a mental health provider. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR can all be very helpful evidence-based practices to help you move past cave syndrome.

About the Author

Steven Booth is the CEO and Founder of Elevation Behavioral Health in Agoura Hills, CA. Steven earned his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Economics. Before helping to co-found Elevation Behavioral Health, Steven worked in both private and public accounting. Like many others, Steven has seen firsthand the destruction that addiction can inflict on family and friends. He has also witnessed the extraordinary changes that can be made when addicts receive the necessary treatment. His passion is providing outstanding mental health care through his facility, and improving the quality of life of clients.