Depression in Cambodia
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- Wun Gwo Pee
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Depression in Cambodia
The recent spate of expat deaths in Cambodia - especially yesterday's hanging from a door handle - and the two deaths caused by alcohol poisoning earlier in the week has got me thinking about how prevalent depression is amongst the expat community here.
I'll be honest. I don't really know what depression is. I'm not trying to belittle it - and I don't think i've experienced it myself - but I never really understand the difference between feeling shit and unable to cope sometimes with the thing people call depression.
But it strikes me that people drinking themselves to death or hanging themselves in $10 guesthouse rooms on a shitty street in Phnom Penh thousands of miles from home is the result of some kind of depression or inability to cope, or desire to escape from pretty horrible and fucked up realities, away from the support systems (family, friends, society) that helps them back home.
I was having a coffee on the water front yesterday and at the next table a group of decrepit wifebeating wearers were moaning about their lives in between 50 cent beers. They were all angry, but it's not clear what at: the locals, the heat, their lives. It was tirade after angry tirade. I suppose they are depressed too, in a way.
Am i offtrack here? Do you think there is a lot of expat depression in Cambodia? Do you know of anyone depressed here, and how do you react to it? Given the majority of these types are male and not the sort to talk things through, I am assuming the lack of any decent counselling centres is irrelevent as they wouldn't use them anyway. I guess the other issue is the easy availability of cheap valium and xanax, but that's a whole area of discussion in itself which is likely to cause as many problems as it solves.
I'll be honest. I don't really know what depression is. I'm not trying to belittle it - and I don't think i've experienced it myself - but I never really understand the difference between feeling shit and unable to cope sometimes with the thing people call depression.
But it strikes me that people drinking themselves to death or hanging themselves in $10 guesthouse rooms on a shitty street in Phnom Penh thousands of miles from home is the result of some kind of depression or inability to cope, or desire to escape from pretty horrible and fucked up realities, away from the support systems (family, friends, society) that helps them back home.
I was having a coffee on the water front yesterday and at the next table a group of decrepit wifebeating wearers were moaning about their lives in between 50 cent beers. They were all angry, but it's not clear what at: the locals, the heat, their lives. It was tirade after angry tirade. I suppose they are depressed too, in a way.
Am i offtrack here? Do you think there is a lot of expat depression in Cambodia? Do you know of anyone depressed here, and how do you react to it? Given the majority of these types are male and not the sort to talk things through, I am assuming the lack of any decent counselling centres is irrelevent as they wouldn't use them anyway. I guess the other issue is the easy availability of cheap valium and xanax, but that's a whole area of discussion in itself which is likely to cause as many problems as it solves.
- spitthedog
- Is the World Outside still there ?
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It's not the self loathing depressed guys you gotta worry about, it's the fake pride narcissists that are the really fcuked up ones.
"I don't care what the people are thinking, i ain't drunk i'm just drinking"
Many I've met in Cambodia wear their anger, bitterness and depression as some kind of badge, proof of their tour of duty and expect anyone who really understands life in Cambodia to feel the same hopelessness or contempt. I'm of the belief you could give these self absorbed, narcissistic, my life is fucked, Cambodia is fucked, if you'd lived my life you'd understand wankers Floyd Mayweather's penthouse, a few of his Lambos, and twenty million and they'd still be determined to pursue the negative aspects of their life or environment.
Obviously there are those few with a diagnosed mental health (never liked the term) condition, however, the majority are just sad sacks no matter where they might lay their hat.
Obviously there are those few with a diagnosed mental health (never liked the term) condition, however, the majority are just sad sacks no matter where they might lay their hat.
"That was probably Londo...He is always shitty." - Marvin
I wonder if " decrepit wife beater wearers" spend so much time talking of, say, pin stripe suit wearing Pims drinkers?
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- Wun Gwo Pee
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If they are wearing pin stripe suits in this weather, it is understandable why they would be depressed.
It's a serious question. Is expat depression prevalent here? I
It's a serious question. Is expat depression prevalent here? I
I read it was prevalent in many expat destinations as people think they can escape their depression if they move to a warmer climate etc. But they take their mind set with them.alanclarke72 wrote:If they are wearing pin stripe suits in this weather, it is understandable why they would be depressed.
It's a serious question. Is expat depression prevalent here? I
Retired expats drink too much, which again can lead to depression.
I am suspicious of people who constantly claim what an amazing life they have etc. I think they seem unhappy. I knew an expat like that who jumped off a condo. So that proved my theory beyond doubt!
Basil Fawlty: Manuel... my wife informs me that you're... depressed. Let me tell you something. Depression is a very bad thing. It's like a virus. If you don't stamp on it, it spreads throughout the mind, and then one day you wake up in the morning and you... you can't face life any more!
Sybil Fawlty: And then you open a hotel
Sybil Fawlty: And then you open a hotel
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- 5 minutes to kill
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Depression goes a little deeper than feeling unable to cope with a given situation. However that feeling of being unable to cope can be a trigger to depression. Depression can last several weeks and go on for several years in some extreme cases. It can be brought on by either physical (chemical imbalances in the brain)- and or psychological disorders.
Basically and generally, depression is the negative outlook to any and all situations.
Counseling and talking therapies don't (usually) help 'cure' the depression but they do help, in many cases, to hold the sufferer back from, what the sufferer often sees as the only way out, that being suicide, until such a time as the imbalance in the brain can be rectified, either naturally or with medication... However, you are correct when you say; "I am assuming the lack of any decent counseling centers is irrelevant as they wouldn't use them anyway.". Unfortunately, this is usually the case,and the sufferer tries to put off the feelings of 'coming to the end of ones tether', or of ' having no the option' by either self administering drugs, legal or otherwise and alcohol, which in both cases never or very very rarely, works.
Depression is an ever decreasing cycle of negativity, a tightening vortexes of psychologically negative thought patterning, which, if left unchecked, usually results in the same, unfortunate way, a suicide attempt.
An important thing to remember though is; these sufferers DO NOT have "pretty horrible and fucked up realities", they only think they do... And, usually, if and when, they change the way they look at their realities, their realities, change.
Basically and generally, depression is the negative outlook to any and all situations.
Counseling and talking therapies don't (usually) help 'cure' the depression but they do help, in many cases, to hold the sufferer back from, what the sufferer often sees as the only way out, that being suicide, until such a time as the imbalance in the brain can be rectified, either naturally or with medication... However, you are correct when you say; "I am assuming the lack of any decent counseling centers is irrelevant as they wouldn't use them anyway.". Unfortunately, this is usually the case,and the sufferer tries to put off the feelings of 'coming to the end of ones tether', or of ' having no the option' by either self administering drugs, legal or otherwise and alcohol, which in both cases never or very very rarely, works.
Depression is an ever decreasing cycle of negativity, a tightening vortexes of psychologically negative thought patterning, which, if left unchecked, usually results in the same, unfortunate way, a suicide attempt.
An important thing to remember though is; these sufferers DO NOT have "pretty horrible and fucked up realities", they only think they do... And, usually, if and when, they change the way they look at their realities, their realities, change.
Last edited by neilo1 on Thu May 07, 2015 2:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
OMFG... WTF?.. FFS!!!
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- Wun Gwo Pee
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I suspect it's more prevalent here than, say, Australia or NZ or Dubai or other expat destinations, largely because Cambodia is likely to attract more of the drinking types who hide their depression through conviviality and socialising. I think also the lack of a support network in a third world country would make it worse, as does the fact that the expat community is predominatly (not exclusively) male, and we are less inclined to talk about such things. Hence my question.
I believe their is an AA here, and also a Narcotics Anonymous, but I have no idea if there is a counselling infrastructure.
I believe their is an AA here, and also a Narcotics Anonymous, but I have no idea if there is a counselling infrastructure.
- the_purple_turtle
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I think expats in any country, not just Cambodia, are probably more likely to become depressed than when in their home countries or residing in a more developed country. Away from family and lifelong friends, living among people of a different culture, language barriers, short term friendships as folks come and go would all be factors....Then mix in cheap booze, availability of pharmaceuticals, cheap sex, lack of rules and regulations, and those that don't have a firm grip on reality or lack of self discipline are going to slip.
Some folk are certainly more negative than others, too. I work with a Belgian who gets some kind of pleasure out of reminding everyone how much of a struggle life can be here. Constantly dwelling on the misery, corruption, and hopelessness of life in the KOW, and the doom and gloom. Happiness is a state of mind, and you can choose to be positive and upbeat about life, or cultivate a sad, negative approach to everything. I'm not talking about those that are clinically depressed, just the jaded, miserable gits that are stuck here or don't have the confidence or strength if mind to start over someplace else.
Clinical depression is something I have experienced, in a similar context to expat life, I suppose. At 16 I moved to the opposite end of my home country to study, and became very isolated and vulnerable. There was professional support on offer then, and I am certain there is here too, in terms of expat councilors, AA meetings, NA meetings. Maybe we could post contact details for these orgs and private businesses that offer such services. It may reach someone just in time.
Some folk are certainly more negative than others, too. I work with a Belgian who gets some kind of pleasure out of reminding everyone how much of a struggle life can be here. Constantly dwelling on the misery, corruption, and hopelessness of life in the KOW, and the doom and gloom. Happiness is a state of mind, and you can choose to be positive and upbeat about life, or cultivate a sad, negative approach to everything. I'm not talking about those that are clinically depressed, just the jaded, miserable gits that are stuck here or don't have the confidence or strength if mind to start over someplace else.
Clinical depression is something I have experienced, in a similar context to expat life, I suppose. At 16 I moved to the opposite end of my home country to study, and became very isolated and vulnerable. There was professional support on offer then, and I am certain there is here too, in terms of expat councilors, AA meetings, NA meetings. Maybe we could post contact details for these orgs and private businesses that offer such services. It may reach someone just in time.
- the_purple_turtle
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Just read posts above that beat me to the send button. Seems like I've repeated a lot of what was said in the time it took me to compose a message!
This article gives a good synopsis on expat depression and is reasonably researched and referenced:alanclarke72 wrote:I suspect it's more prevalent here than, say, Australia or NZ or Dubai or other expat destinations, largely because Cambodia is likely to attract more of the drinking types who hide their depression through conviviality and socialising. I think also the lack of a support network in a third world country would make it worse, as does the fact that the expat community is predominatly (not exclusively) male, and we are less inclined to talk about such things. Hence my question.
I believe their is an AA here, and also a Narcotics Anonymous, but I have no idea if there is a counselling infrastructure.
"Expats and Depression: The Research"
There is research that shows what many expatriates have known for years – it isn’t easy being an expat. According to a study by Chestnut Global Partners and the Truman Group, upwards of 50 percent of American expats have a high risk of developing mental health problems including anxiety and depression. That rate is 2.5 times more than people who stay at home. The difficulty adjusting to life as an expatriate is reflected in the 40 percent failure rate that American expats experience when sent abroad.
According to the World Health Organization, “Mental health issues are among the leading causes of ill health among travellers, and ‘psychiatric emergency’ is one of the most common medical reasons for air evacuation.” The stress brought on by international travel can have significant impact on the psyche. As described by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, short-term travel causes the least amount of stress while expatriates and frequent travelers experience the highest levels of stress. Even people without known pre-existing conditions can have a mental health disorder emerge during travel.
A lot of this is due to the high levels of stress that expats often face. The study found that expatriates “experience higher levels of stress than their U.S. counterparts.” They are three times as likely as workers based at home in the United States to feel either trapped or depressed. They are also twice as likely to feel anxious or nervous. Not every expat is the worker, many expatriates are family members who have been brought along on the journey. The 2011 Global Relocation Trends Survey found that for expatriates “the top challenges [are] partner resistance (47%) and family adjustment (32%).”
http://www.diggingtoroam.com/2014/07/ex ... epression/
Expatriates at Higher Risk for Mental Health Issues and Substance Abuse Problems
Joint study published by Chestnut Global Partners and the Truman Group underscores need for specialized EAP or mental health services as expat workforce expected to expand.
A new study, conducted jointly by Chestnut Global Partners (CGP) and the Truman Group, reveals that expatriates face a higher overall risk for mental health problems, including internalizing and externalizing problems, and substance use disorders. More broadly, the study found that more than 50% of the expatriates in the study were at high risk for internalizing problems (such as anxiety and depression), a rate 2.5 times their U.S.-based counterparts.
“Studies estimate that American expatriates have rates of assignment failure as high as 40%, which often results from stress caused by cultural differences and demanding workloads,” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9277073.htm
- Petrol Head
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Hanging on in quiet desperation (and Singha singlets) is the English way.
Haha - my money’s on Playboy
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