You Might Have “Cave Syndrome”
If the world opening back up makes you nervous, there’s now a term for it. You might be dealing with “CAVE SYNDROME.” A psychiatrist in Florida coined the term and admits it’s NOT an official diagnosis. But he’s using it more and more, because so many of his patients are anxious about being around people again.
He says the best way to deal with it is to be mindful about specific things that are making you nervous. And then think about all the reasons you loved going out before the pandemic, like concerts or dinner with friends.
Some experts DON’T like the term though, and say a little anxiety after a traumatic event is totally normal. So they don’t want to create a stigma, or suggest people have a “syndrome” or “disorder” just because they’re feeling nervous.