|  | Conditions Treatments | Depression

What Does Nostalgic Mean?

Nostalgic is a adjective describing the longing desire to go back to a sentimental place, time, or to be in a person's company who was once a source of comfort and happiness long ago.

  1. Identification

    • Nostalgia can be a mental journey to the past, or it can be a strong yearning to physically visit the place of lasting memories.

    Considerations

    • Nostalgic thoughts usually visualize the past in its most ideal form--the happiest faces, the warmest sunshine, and other pleasant characteristics.

    Fun Fact

    • Nostalgia comes from the Greek words, nostos and algos. Nostos means "going home," and algos means "pain."

    Effects

    • To be nostalgic is akin to being physically restricted and then feeling and worrying that you will never be able to return home.

    History

    • Nostalgia was first formed as a word in 1688 by Johannes Hofer. This Swiss doctor defined it as a condition of being homesick, something that was often experienced by traveling Swiss mercenaries.

Depression - Related Articles