Red Flags and Self-Help for the OFW

Joey just moved to Myanmar three months ago.  He found a job that paid him very good money there, and did not think twice about going.  He knew that he could provide a better life for his wife and 2 children this way.  Little did he know that the way of life in this distant land is far from what he had imagined.  Ibang-iba ang pamumuhay at kaugalian ng mga tao, at nag-iisa siyang Pilipino sa kanyang pinapasukan.  He felt increasingly isolated and homesick.  He had paid a big sum to get his papers in order, and he was not just about to pack up and leave.  Increasingly, he has been feeling sad, and he lost his appetite, and find himself sleeping a lot. 

Although feeling sad in the course of adjusting to a new environment may not necessarily be detrimental to a person, there are also red flags that may indicate a need to seek professional help.  These are often associated with the severity, pervasiveness and chronicity of one’s reactions.  Kinakailangang kumonsulta sa isang doktor, sikolohista o counselor kung ikaw ay nakakaranas ng ilan sa mga sumusunod dala ng pangingibang bansa: 

§  Matinding kalungkutan at madalas na pag-iiyak;

§  Hindi makatulog sa magdamag o sobrang tulog sa buong maghapon;

§  Feeling giddy and anxious for no apparent reason;

§  Feeling worthless and hopeless for most part of the days;

§  Kawalan ng gana kumain o sobra-sobra sa pagkain;

§  Becoming easily irritable and excitable;

§  Losing energy to do anything and feeling listless;

§  Lubang pangangamba o pag-aalala sa lahat ng bagay;

§  Unexplained anxiety or extreme fears; and

§  Pag-iisip ang kamatayan o kagustuhang mamatay (you need to see someone immediately if you start thinking of suicide).

Upang matulungan ang sarili na masanay sa bagong kapaligiran, kinakailangang alagaan muna ang sarili.  Mahalaga ang pagkain at ang pahinga sa wastong panahon.  Here are some other tips in making one’s adjustment easier: 

§  Magsulat ng liham o email sa mga kamag-anak at kaibigan;

§  Reach out to other people around you;

§  Sumali sa mga programa para sa mga kababayan, gaya ng pagkanta sa simbahan o pagvo-volunteer sa mga samahan;

§  Do something you enjoy, such as, singing and taking a stroll in the park;

§  Mag-aral ng panibagong gawain, gaya ng pananahi o pag-aaral ng ibang wika;

§  Do regular physical exercise;

§  Arrange a regular time that you can talk to loved ones back home; or

§  Pagbisita sa magagandang tanawin. 

Joey eventually sought the help of their company physician and was referred to a specialist.  He eventually decided to return home for a few months, and was able to recuperate.  Luckily, the company where he worked allowed him to return.  With the support of his family, he was better able to adjust to his life overseas.