written with assistance from Ahmer Ahmed
Something has shifted in the quality of our attention lately. Conversations carry a different weight. People are checking their phones more than they want to, while also trying to stay away, both without much respite. Sleep is lighter. A low-grade tension sits beneath otherwise ordinary days.
Even if we may not feel like we are in a crisis (life is, indeed, normal), the experience of surprise (unpredictability and unexpectedness) is common and persistent.
The instinct, when something feels off, is to fix. We find that clearly understanding our personal reactions, needs, and resources in the first instance enlightens the path to what might actually help us in moments of instability and unrest.
Not all distress is the same
During this period of regional tension, clinicians at MapleTree have witnessed this in more than one way. We are on constant alert for official statements either to relieve anxiety or to problem solve. While everyone notices every boom or thud, some are inclined to ignore, while others try to decipher its source. Some report feeling surreal, and most describe “contextual dissonance,” i.e. feeling and functioning normally when nothing about our collective circumstance is normal.
None of these are signs that something has gone wrong. Instead, they tell us that something is working.
The human nervous system was not designed to function as usual when we are chronically and unpredictably exposed to distressing news. Near or far, direct or not, we are wired to instinctually regulate in the face of threat. While decisions have to be made and life has to go on, it is hard to do so satisfactorily and sustainably when your body is in “flight or fright” mode.
In the spirit of recognizing what is natural and useful, we encourage you to reflect on how you (and your body) have naturally responded to such situations. As long as this response does not lead to harm, it may be best to work with it (and not against it). If you are tired, get some rest. If you feel burned out, assess what can be reasonably changed. If focusing on work is helpful, do it. If family time is your elixir, go for it! Reach out to one of our therapists if you need more support with this.
Collective Stress
We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we see this across history: What many people are experiencing is a shared human response to witnessing suffering, not individual psychological crisis. For some, this sharedness minimizes pre-existing (personal or relational) struggles. It reduces the perceived difference between “normal” and “abnormal.” For those who have not struggled with mental distress, the normative emotional reactions to such unsettling events is a frustrating (and unwelcome) change.
Distress is Not a Diagnosis
The human system is built for adaptation. Connection, routine, and meaning are often sufficient to this effect.
Most people who are struggling right now may benefit more from a conversation with someone they trust, sleep, routine continuity, scheduled activities/tasks, all to feel less alone or burdened by what they are carrying.
Supplementing these might be offerings for guided meditations, self-help resources, mindfulness coping skills, prayer meetings, play dates, etc. You are welcome to explore what options would work best for you with one of our therapists.
Seeking Specialized Professional Help
If natural supports and other resources do not seem to ease your distress, and if the current circumstances have triggered or worsened unhealed wounds, psychotherapy may help. In Dubai, where most of us are far from our homes and families, psychotherapy may be particularly helpful in creating a safe space for support and direction.
Our team at MapleTree includes expats who are personally and professionally experienced to hold space, recognize, and stand by you in times of need. We work over a period of time with individuals, couples, and parents, to provide care that is tailored to your needs, circumstances, and history. We provide psychotherapy and counselling services primarily in English (with options for Arabic, Hindi, French, and Finnish).
Explore service options, Find a therapist at MapleTree or reach out directly.
