UAE: Away from family? Mental health experts share tips on dealing with separation anxiety
Nuha Saeed finally achieved her dream of moving to the UAE when she relocated there last year. At first Nuha Saeed actively participated in social activities and built friendships while exploring the social scene in her new environment. After living in the UAE for several months she started feeling increasingly detached from her family left behind. The growing emotional separation she experienced produced isolation which then affected her ability to maintain focus and achieve her usual productivity at work.
Nuha's work performance deteriorated noticeably as time moved forward. She explained how the tasks that used to excite her started to feel burdensome. My thoughts frequently returned to my family while I worked. Her ability to meet deadlines suffered under constant distractions while her enthusiasm for projects diminished. As she struggled Nuha pondered going back home because she felt trapped in a joyless situation.
Understanding her requirement for assistance she decided to pursue therapy via an online platform. The therapist diagnosed her with separation anxiety and supplied her with strategies to manage her emotions and enhance her mental health.
Separation anxiety is a frequent challenge for newcomers who live far from their families according to mental health specialists. Clinical psychologist Dr Amina Khalid explained that separation anxiety presents itself through emotional distress and difficulty concentrating while also causing physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue. She pointed out that recognizing these signs early is essential for individuals. Unaddressed feelings of loneliness and disconnection will cause mental health to deteriorate.
Dr Khalid described separation anxiety as an emotional disorder which features intense fear and distress when separated from home or a primary attachment figure. She observed that adults with this condition typically demonstrate persistent thoughts about their home or family members which lead to substantial disruptions in their daily life activities. The stress response initiated by this condition leads to increased cortisol production which harms mental and physical health over an extended period. Knowing these mechanisms enables people to find suitable support and establish coping tactics.
Psychiatrist Dr. Omar Al Sayed discussed how separation anxiety creates emotional strain that disrupts both personal and professional life. He explained that work engagement declines when people fixate on thoughts of their home environment leading to further stress and anxiety. Individuals should identify key separation anxiety indicators by noting persistent sadness and withdrawal from social activities along with irritability. The displayed signs show that the person is having difficulty adapting to their new surroundings.
Experts agree that proactive measures are essential to fight these feelings. Dr Khalid recommended setting up regular family check-ins using video calls or messaging applications. She advised that maintaining connections helps preserve emotional bonds while reducing feelings of isolation. Newcomers who participate in community activities or become members of local support groups can develop new relationships while building a sense of community membership.
Dr Al Sayed emphasized that professional assistance is essential for individuals who struggle to control their anxiety. He explains that therapy teaches people effective coping mechanisms to manage their emotions. He advises newcomers to focus on mental health because getting help demonstrates strength rather than weakness.
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