Majority of UAE residents feel high cost of living causes stress

Dubai: The pace of development and increasing demands for living in the UAE are developing society into a high-stress society.

Residents are already showing the signs with 67 per cent of them saying that the high cost of living is causing them mental stress, while 23 per cent blame work pressure and 10 per cent traffic according to a Gulf News online poll published on December 21.

Dr Hussain Ali, a psychologist with the Dubai Community Health Centre and head of Psychology and Social Services Department at Rashid Hospital, said this was not unusual due to UAE's fast-paced development and makeup of the society. He said a majority of his patients suffer stress due to financial concerns brought on by the high cost of living.

"People come here because they don't have to pay taxes and make money, but the increasing cost of living leads them to question their purpose for coming here," he said.

He added that work pressure has also increased as UAE residents' approach the "working style equivalent to the Western standard of working beyond office hours."

Dr Ali said the makeup of the society expatriates make up the majority of the residents of the UAE contributes to their stress as they lack the social support from friends and family that they need to handle their stress.

"A lot of people feel living here is like being in transit," he said.

Dr Ali warned residents to be aware of the signs of stress, saying they can lead to serious medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Physical symptoms include headaches, back pain, sleep disruption, changes in appetite and intestinal troubles, such as ulcers.

Mental signs include feelings of anxiety, nervousness, memory problems, irritability and depression.

People who are not managing their stress well will also become absent-minded and find it difficult to concentrate.