I JUST WANT TO STAY HOME

Q I’ve visited many different countries and enjoyed travelling the world but for some reason I’m now too afraid to go overseas for business.

My manager wants me to go on a business trip to Germany and the UK but I’ve tried to sidestep this and have even tried to motivate for other colleagues to go instead.

As I’m a specialist in my field, my manager wants me to go, but I am somehow stuck and can’t bring myself to make the arrangements to go.

What is wrong with me? Why do I only want to stay at home with my family? My colleagues can’t believe I’m so reluctant to go because the people I’ll be going to see are very welcoming and make a huge effort to ensure the time spent with them overseas is not only valuable in terms of the work but also enjoyable. Ben, email

A As a psychologist I have seen this phenomenon more and more since lockdown began in March 2020. My colleagues have seen the same thing in their practices.

It is being referred to as lockdown syndrome and is characterised by people becoming introverted and not wanting to venture outside their homes.

Some patients have even developed agoraphobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder where people have an excessive fear of certain situations, usually ones where they can’t control what happens.

You will have to be honest with your manager and tell him or her that you’re experiencing some symptoms of lockdown syndrome and that you need some time and therapy to work through it and get back to your normal self.

Make an appointment with a clinical psychologist so you can address this problem.

‘ALL LOVE THAT HAS NOT FRIENDSHIP FOR ITS BASE IS LIKE A MANSION BUILT UPON SAND’

– AMERICAN WRITER ELLA WHEELER WILCOX