By Forced migration can lead to a state of extreme psychological stress. This is a syndrome that, in turn, has other strong psychological impacts. Let’s find out what it is about.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has estimated that by 2024, around 120 million people around the world will be forced to leave their homes. This reality increases the global risk of experiencing Ulysses syndrome.
Also known as chronic and multiple-stress immigrant syndrome, this describes the feeling of uprooting, fear and disorientation when facing migratory grief in extreme conditions. What else does this phenomenon bring with it?
Ulysses and the stress of the immigrant: mythology and reality
It was the Spanish psychiatrist Joseba Achotegui who, in 2002, coined the term “Ulysses syndrome”, inspired by the character Odysseus ( Ulysses , in Latin) from the epic poem The Odyssey . In this story, the mythological hero faces several challenges on his long journey back home after the Trojan War.
Achotegui used the name of the protagonist of this famous literary work as a metaphor for the difficult experiences and feelings of disorientation and anxiety that immigrants can feel when leaving their country of origin and adapting to a new environment.
Is it a pathology ?
This syndrome is not recognized in official psychiatric manuals as a mental disorder. It is not a pathology. Rather, it refers to the phenomenon of problematic migratory grief that some migrants face due to hostile and adverse circumstances.
According to Achotegui, “for millions of people, emigration is becoming a process that involves such intense levels of stress (forced loneliness, fear, helplessness, etc.) that it exceeds the capacity of human beings to adapt.”
Many people are forced to leave their homes and families due to war, natural disasters, economic problems or lack of job opportunities in their countries of origin. Forced migration is not a mental illness, but a matter of survival . In this urgent context, the emotional impact is much greater compared to common migratory grief.
Difference between migratory grief and Ulysses syndrome
The difference lies in the circumstances in which one emigrates and, therefore, in the complexity of the pain. Migratory grief is the normal process of emotional adjustment that every person who leaves home faces. Meanwhile, Ulysses syndrome describes a migratory experience so extreme that it exceeds human adaptation capacities.
Unlike other losses, such as the death of a loved one, migratory grief is partial because the country of origin does not disappear. Therefore, after emigrating there is always the possibility of returning, either for temporary visits or an eventual repatriation. And it is also said to be multiple, because it involves several significant losses.
Losses that every migrant deals with
Psychiatrist Achotegui, an expert in migration and mental health, identifies seven basic griefs that every migrant must process. We list them below:
- From the family and social environment: separating from the support network of family and close friends generates feelings of loneliness and isolation during this process.
- From the mother tongue: Often, the accent and idioms are missed. This loss can be further intensified if one emigrates to a country where a different language is spoken.
- From the sense of belonging to a community: adapting to new social dynamics and finding a new group to belong to is a challenge during integration into a new place.
- Cultural identity: Displacement involves the loss of values, cultural traditions and food customs, which can challenge personal identity and the sense of cultural belonging.
- From the homeland: leaving behind the physical place where the person lived experiences and established emotional roots . For example, it is common to feel nostalgia for familiar landscapes, streets, smells and temperatures.
- On social role and status: when moving to a new country, it is common for one’s social, economic and professional position to be reset from scratch. The presence of xenophobia can exacerbate the discomfort associated with this process.
- Physical and psychological safety: depending on the socio-political context, migrants may face situations of vulnerability such as discrimination, labour exploitation or even direct threats to their physical integrity, for example, during the migratory journey.
Someone who develops Ulysses syndrome suffers the same losses as any migrant, but does so under critical conditions. This, of course, increases emotional and psychological stress, which exceeds the ability to adapt and makes the process more complex.
Main stressors of immigrants’ mental health
Before, during and after forced exile, people face a series of stress triggers that have a direct impact on their emotional, physical and psychological well-being. As a result, coping skills and resilience are weakened .
According to what Achotegui states in an article published in Gaceta Médica de Bilbao , the main stressors are the following:
- Loneliness : Being away from loved ones is undoubtedly one of the greatest sources of suffering, especially when there are forced separations from young children and/or elderly parents due to legal or economic restrictions.
- Fear: Fear focuses on the physical dangers of the journey, such as crossing in precarious boats, facing mafias or prostitution networks, and living with the constant terror of being detained and expelled once in the host country.
- Failure of the migration project: after investing enormous efforts and risking one’s life in the displacement, the difficulties in obtaining legal papers, accessing the labor market or the lack of improvement in the quality of life, produces a deep feeling of hopelessness and helplessness.
- Struggle for survival: Many migrants are forced to eat low-quality food in insufficient quantities, because they prefer to send money to their families. In addition, they often live in overcrowded conditions that do not meet minimum standards of habitability .
The combination of these stressors forms the psychological basis of immigrant syndrome and can lead to the development of official diagnoses such as depression , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or generalized anxiety disorder .
Symptoms of Ulysses Syndrome
Prolonged exposure to such high levels of stress causes a wide variety of symptoms that we classify into four major areas, one of which involves somatization :
1. Depressive
- Sadness
- Feeling of guilt
2. Anxiogenic
- Strain
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Intrusive thoughts
3. Psychological discomfort that is somatized
- Headaches
- Digestive discomfort
- Skin diseases
4. Confusing
- Memory or attention failures.
- Feeling lost or disoriented, both physically and mentally.
Some migrants must hide or change their identity to protect themselves, which can lead to a feeling of not knowing who they are. Lies and family secrets during the process also contribute to the confusion.
How to deal with the emotional impact of leaving home in an emergency situation
Even with the pain it entails, leaving home is sometimes the only option. Although it may be a solution rather than a problem, the emotional and psychological challenges are undeniable. Here are some psychological recommendations to deal with them.
Find community resources
At the international level, there are various organizations committed to supporting migrants. Among the entities that play a crucial role in humanitarian aid, legal protection and basic assistance are the following:
- UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): This UN agency is dedicated to protecting and supporting refugees and asylum seekers around the world.
- Amnesty International : is a global organization dedicated to the defense of human rights. Among its objectives is the fight against the stigmatization of people who migrate.
- Red Cross and Red Crescent: are humanitarian organizations that provide assistance in emergencies and humanitarian crises globally. This includes medical, food and shelter support.
- IOM (International Organization for Migration) is the principal intergovernmental organization dedicated to migration. It provides services and assistance to affected communities and promotes the orderly and humane management of migration flows.
In addition, there are local and community organizations, from reception centers, shelters and religious institutions, that offer specific support and resources for the well-being of migrants.
Seek professional help
Psychological support is essential for processing difficult emotions such as loss, fear or anxiety associated with grief in difficult contexts. Intervention by psychiatrists, physicians, social workers and educators may also be necessary.
Connect with other compatriot migrants
For people who have left their homes, connecting with others who are experiencing a similar uprooting situation is comforting. Apart from the opportunity to exchange practical advice on how to adapt , this also strengthens social ties and a sense of belonging.
Maintain routines and some structure
Routines are essential for emotional stability, especially in situations of change, uncertainty and chaos. Having regular schedules and activities provides a perception of order and control that is crucial to reducing anxiety, as well as feeling more prepared to face the challenges of adaptation.
Small gestures, big differences
No matter where you are in the world, chances are someone close to you is facing significant challenges from being away from their homes and loved ones. Showing compassion, avoiding stigmatization or blame, and being willing to offer support makes a huge difference, no matter how small it may seem.
And if you are the one who experiences this uprooting, do not hesitate to seek help and connect with the available resources. There are many people committed to listening, understanding and accompanying you on this path of adaptation and improvement.