Living abroad always comes with unprecedented pressures that are often unique and shocking to the person going through the experience. It often leads to various mental health issues like stoked feelings of isolation and depression.
These can originate from a fear of expressing your problems to loved ones back home or even fellow expats. The situation is common in spouses that follow their partner to a new country and feel lonely, especially if they do not have a job and a new circle of friends as well.
Although being an expat abroad is deeply rewarding, the expat lifestyle can pose challenges back home that your loved ones are unfamiliar with. It is important to recognize expat wellbeing as very important. Fortunately, depression is highly treatable, so there is no reason you should struggle alone.
What is expat depression?
Depression is much more than feeling unhappy or tired of your lifestyle for a few days. Although most people go through short periods where they feel down, depression does not show up like that.
When you are depressed, you feel sad persistently for long periods. It could be weeks or months of feeling low in spirits or despondent. It is a feeling experienced by most people who move abroad or travel overseas for work.
It is important to note that most expat spouses get depression. It is a very real illness that has actual symptoms. It is not a sign of weakness. Depression is not simply something that you can get out of by convincing yourself that you are okay.
Why do expats and their spouses suffer from depression and other mental health issues?
Depression does not have a single cause. It can happen due to various reasons and has different triggers.
At times, different causes can add up to trigger depression. For instance, you may be feeling low after going through something like an illness then have to ensure a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one. This can trigger depression.
Relocating abroad for work needs a substantial amount of energy, optimism, and confidence. It may be the reason why expats and their spouses with the idea to move abroad initially respond by attempting to hide the symptoms of depression or anxiety entirely. Moving to a different county comes with a very long list of stressful things.
I’m on 3 mg Xanax daily. Take the pills three times a day, but guess I’ll need another dose by the end of this year. I feel the effects become less pronounced and want to talk about this with my psychiatrist. In fact, I can’t imagine my life without https://medtecllc.com/xanax-online/ this drug. Xanax is the only preparation that keeps my anxiety under control without severe side effects.
Apart from language barriers and cultural changes, expats often have to rely too much on locals to aid them in navigating the easiest of tasks. These may range from buying medicine at a pharmacy to signing a new lease. The reliance may damage a person’s sense of competency over time, and they may start feeling less independent.
A downward spiral of events can also lead to depression. For instance, if your relationship with your partner changes from happy to difficult, you are most likely going to feel low. You may even stop seeing your family and friends less and rely on substances such as alcohol. All these events can make you feel worse and set off depression.
External challenges can also pile up fast, making the situation worse. It could be dissatisfaction at work or failing to get the career opportunities you want. It may also be societal or political differences in the new country. Expat spouses deal with this often as they may struggle to find new employment once they move.
How do you find a job abroad if you are an expat spouse?
You can check online for tips on how to get a job and settle in a new country. Be sure to consider visas and duration of stay requirements on the country of interest’s government web pages.