UAE | General
Inflation takes a mental toll on UAE expatriates
An increasing number of expatriates, mostly housemaids, are seeking psychiatric treatment for psychological disorders resulting from the intolerable rise in prices.
- By Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:01 September 15, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- An increasing number of expatriates are seeking psychiatric treatment for psychological disorder resulting from the intolerable rise in food prices.
Ras Al Khaimah: If you thought rising prices only hit one's pocket, think again.
An increasing number of expatriates, mostly housemaids, are seeking psychiatric treatment for psychological disorders resulting from the intolerable rise in prices.
The Psychiatric Department at the Ras Al Khaimah Medical District receives an average of 50 patients daily, the vast majority of whom are expatriates, said Dr Tala'at Mattar, head of the department.
Expatriates visiting these psychiatric clinics receive therapy sessions, medication and even electric shocks if necessary.
Dr Mattar said among expatriates, the hardest hit are housemaids who are usually victimised by their recruiting agencies.
Ethiopian and Sri Lankan maids are regular visitors to the clinics.
"They arrive here with no knowledge of the Arabic language, but with rosy promises from their recruitment agencies, which in a very short while prove to be sheer lies," he said.
Some of these maids suffer from severe depression and even go insane.
Dr Mattar said an increasing number of expatriates had been sending their families back home, thereby creating a psychiatric imbalance, because the husbands continue to live here. "Such imbalance can easily develop into a psychiatric illness," he said.
"Less than 10 per cent of expatriates who really need psychiatric help come to our clinics for assistance," he said, adding that most do not even realise that they are patients.
Dr Mattar said the number of expatriates suffering from these disorders in Ras Al Khaimah, and the UAE in general, is much higher than among Emiratis. "Expatriates are badly affected by increasing prices," he said.
Expatriates come under tremendous pressure when trying to meet their financial commitments. The crisis is particularly acute for those who have not had a significant rise in salary.
"This financial pressure paves the way for severe tension and depression," Dr Mattar said. "It is a big problem for an employee to find that what is needed of him is far more than his financial capabilities.
"Regularly thinking about ways to come out of this is precisely what leads him or her to a psychiatric clinic," Dr Mattar said.
The latest trend also shows earlier studies had erroneously concluded that the most advanced societies share with the less developed ones common grounds for depression.
Do you feel the rising costs have affected your mental health? What steps do you take to unwind and ensure you stay fit? Should the impact of inflation on mental health be studied, considering that it is becoming a global issue? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
Inflation is a hard fact that is very hard to accept, due to it expatriates in UAE are sending back their families, or flying away to another countries, singles are not intending to get married even till reaching the age of 30+, married couples do not plan to have children and remain without children, condition in home countries is the same but still UAE currency could be of help and support but here working more and no time for our own life neglecting our own pleasure make us sick and mentally disturb. Life is very difficult in UAE.
Nahed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 10:10
The issues and problems caused by inflation are known to all the people residing in UAE. It would be better if there were some real solutions instead of repeating always the 'Same Old Story'
George
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 08:52
It is really pitiable to understand many housemaids are victims on psychiatric related ailments.
Of course it is the ignorant of these people, but at the same time we or the respective government should penalize the people who give the wrong information to bring them in for their benefit.
At least those who employ the poor people should take care of them, this is the way they can go closer to the GOD, and it is equal to many prayersâ??.
KK.Rajaram
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 08:33
Im one of these people who are affected mentally, stress is there day and night,lack of sleep, life here is not easy and comfortable any more.
me and many of my friends are thinking to imigrate to other countries.
the biggest problem here that authorities are doing nothing for expats regarding this crises.
Murad
al ain,UAE
Posted: September 15, 2008, 02:03
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