{"id":4475,"date":"2012-12-05T08:00:37","date_gmt":"2012-12-05T08:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.studyabroad101.com\/?p=4475"},"modified":"2022-08-10T13:10:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T17:10:43","slug":"wellness-wednesday-how-to-recognize-depression-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.studyabroad101.com\/blog\/2012\/12\/wellness-wednesday-how-to-recognize-depression-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"Wellness Wednesday: How to Recognize Depression Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome to the fourth installment of Wellness Wednesdays featuring Abroad101\u2032s expert on expat emotional health,\u00a0Melissa Doman.\u00a0 In this post Melissa talks about\u00a0how to recognize anxiety and depression issues that go beyond normal culture shock, and warns against using substances to cope with emotional discomfort.<\/p>\n

“You\u2019ve studied your host language phrase books, settled in with your\u00a0host family, and have made a few local friends \u2013 you’re well on your way to having an amazing adventure abroad! Just\u00a0remember to keep your emotional well-being\u00a0and safety in mind!<\/p>\n

As mentioned in previous postings<\/a>, the honeymoon stage of initial arrival is fascinating and exciting, and serves as a\u00a0prequel to the unique adjustment that lies ahead. Cultural adjustment is different for everyone and please remember\u00a0that your process will be your own. As a fellow nomad, I want to give you a heads up on what to potentially expect\u00a0emotionally during the negotiation\/disintegration stage of cultural integration into a new country.<\/p>\n

When you enter into the negotiation\/disintegration stage \u2013 this is the point when you become acutely aware of the\u00a0differences around you. If you\u2019re feeling angry or frustrated \u2013 these are all normal feelings of being out of your\u00a0comfort zone. If I can give you two words to remember during those times \u2013 they would be STAY CALM. If you\u2019re\u00a0feeling disconnected during this process, remember you are not the first person and certainly won\u2019t be the last to go
\nthrough this. \u00a0The best thing you can do for yourself\u00a0during this stage is to embrace that you are creating your temporary home away from home.<\/p>\n

Outside of the normal ups and downs of culture shock from being in a new place, please remember that if you notice changes that seem beyond what you\u2019re capable of handling \u2013 the best thing you can do is reach out for help.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Signs to be aware of:
\n– Depression: feeling consistently blue, desire to isolate yourself, increased need for sleep, crying spells, intense\u00a0feelings of hopelessness
\n– Anxiety: insomnia, irritability, anger, racing heart, irrational fears
\n– Use of alcohol and drugs to numb feelings of emotional discomfort<\/p>\n

Please note: a lot of countries have 18 as the minimum legal drinking age. While this is very different\u00a0from the U.S.A, just because it\u2019s legal doesn\u2019t make it a free for all! With great power comes great\u00a0responsibility \u2013 and if you have access to it \u2013 be responsible about it.<\/p>\n

One of the hallmark signs of emotional distress is the noticeable abuse of alcohol and drugs\u00a0as a method to cope with psychological pain. If you notice that you, or even your friends, are\u00a0engaging in risky substance abusing behavior concurrently with reporting they are upset or\u00a0depressed \u2013 they may need access to help.<\/p>\n

Sorry to disappoint, but the myth of \u2018drinking your sorrows away\u2019 is not only false, but will\u00a0make you feel worse. Alcohol is a physical depressant and will make your blues even blue-er.\u00a0Engaging in binge drinking can predispose you to physical health issues. If you choose to\u00a0drink while you\u2019re abroad – be responsible! The last thing you need during a potentially\u00a0stressful cultural adjustment are physical health issues too.<\/p>\n

If at any point you feel the need for help \u2013 there is no shame in asking for it! Remember that everyone, especially\u00a0during times of transition, needs someone to talk to. Your programs usually have a point of contact person in your\u00a0host country to help you with such issues of adjustment \u2013 so don\u2019t be afraid to utilize them. These folks can help get\u00a0you access to the necessary services you need in order to ease those homesick pains. No need to feel embarrassed \u2013 remember that people feel blue or anxious in any place around the world.<\/p>\n

I leave you with the words of Marcel Proust, \u201cThe real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but\u00a0in having new eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

References:
\nhttp:\/\/www.checkyourdrinking.net\/CYD\/SampleReport.aspx?iframe=true&width=90%&height=80%
\nhttp:\/\/www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov\/niaaacollegematerials\/trainingmanual\/appendix_a.aspx
\nhttp:\/\/www.nd.edu\/~ucc\/International_Eds_Hdbk_I.html#Alcohol<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the fourth installment of Wellness Wednesdays featuring Abroad101\u2032s expert on expat emotional health,\u00a0Melissa Doman.\u00a0 In this post Melissa talks about\u00a0how to recognize anxiety and depression issues that go beyond normal culture shock, and warns against using substances to cope with emotional discomfort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[356],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[681],"class_list":["post-4475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wellness-wednesday","author-sarahhanley"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t