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The term was first coined by environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht in the early 2000s to describe the unique mental suffering caused by experiencing negative environmental change.
Common signs and symptoms of this condition include, but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, fatigue, grief, feelings of helplessness, and loss of identity.
It is important to remember that this condition often presents itself differently in different people, not least because it can arise from a variety of different circumstances.
The severity and longevity of symptoms may vary from person to person, too. Some people experience very debilitating symptoms over a long period, while others have milder symptoms that come and go.
If your doctor thinks you may be suffering from solastalgia, they will evaluate your symptoms and medical history alongside your specific environmental situation.
They will take into account any preexisting and comorbid (i.e. the simultaneous presence of two or more medical issues) conditions, such as anxiety disorders and depression, in order to reach the right diagnosis.
PTSD is caused by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events of all kinds, including, but not limited to, war, sexual violence, and acts of terrorism.
An experienced mental health professional is able to ascertain whether a person may be suffering from either solastalgia or PTSD, or both.
However, people living in areas that are particularly prone to natural disaster, or that are under threat of a traumatic event, may be more likely to develop solastalgia.
Moreover, research suggests that concerns about climate change tend to disproportionately affect people in marginalized communities.
People living in underserved communities may be at greater risk of developing solastalgia, as well as not being treated properly if it does occur.
Many people live with this mental health condition and do not ever seek treatment. There are effective ways to treat it though, for people who decide to seek help.
On the one hand there is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a talking therapy based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and actions are all interconnected.
CBT has been proven effective in treating anxiety and depression, and it is the first-choice treatment for people suffering from solastalgia.
One of the biggest challenges with solastalgia is that its cause is outside of our personal control. In treatment, solastalgia sufferers work on taking back their sense of control.
If you think you may be suffering from solastalgia and are looking for ways to alleviate your symptoms, remember that it is important to validate your feelings of loss.
Talk about your loss and seek help wherever needed. Accepting that environmental changes can have a big impact on our mental health is an important first step.
Dealing with solastalgia can be tricky, particularly for people highly susceptible to the symptoms. With the right treatment, however, you can start to feel better.
Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Climate Psychiatry Alliance)
See also: How rising temperatures could worsen mental health
It is also helpful to make plans for the future, and some people find that transforming their home is a good way to do this.
The ultimate aim is to transform your home back into a place of comfort, whether that be by moving to a new place altogether or simply redecorating your bedroom.
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Solastalgia: when environmental change impacts mental health
Learn to recognize this mental health condition
HEALTH Mental health
Today, it is no great secret that our planet is undergoing significant changes. From rising sea levels to increasing spells of extreme weather, communities all over the world are experiencing changes at the hands of climate change. And as change-averse beings, we humans are prone to suffer psychologically as a result. Enter: solastalgia. A term that has been around for years, but which has only recently gained widespread attention, solastalgia refers to the negative mental health consequences of witnessing environmental change.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.