The release of Disney's Inside Out 2 has people talking about mental health, primarily because of a new major character in protagonist Riley's head: Anxiety.
In the first film, released in 2015, Riley, then 11, is guided by five basic emotions through her childhood – Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust and Fear. The sequel picks up two years later with Riley entering puberty and a new set of emotions are introduced – Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.
While the animated films are full of colour, humour and lightheartedness, at the core of the Disney franchise is a demonstration of mental health. The movies employ the assistance of experts like Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley, to portray some level of real-life accuracy.
The sequel follows the nine emotions and how they can help 13-year-old Riley form a sense of self.
“What is so important about this film is that it represents the reality that natural functioning involves a whole lot of emotions that are not particularly comfortable, but they are valuable,” Dr Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, tells The National.
“They are protective. They are growth-giving. And they all have a place in our lives and are not on their own grounds for concern.”
Although the film centres on teenage mental health, dealing with anxiety is universal and age agnostic. As humans age, it reveals, they form more complex emotions and learn different tools to deal with them.
According to the World Health Organisation, anxiety disorders affect hundreds of millions of people globally every year. While some level of anxiety is important, as Inside Out 2 suggests, there are people who deal with it in excess – potentially impacting their relationships, careers and daily routines.
How to deal with anxiety
The first step to dealing with anxiety is to detect and recognise it.
Maida Kajevic, a clinical psychologist at German Neuroscience Center in Dubai, says it's important to remember that “anxiety is not an enemy”.
An optimal level of anxiety, she adds, can even help people be more productive – for example, when dealing with work deadlines or presentations. Generally negligible levels of anxiety can be nervousness, nausea or sweating, but they are not debilitating.
When anxiety and its symptoms are deemed controllable, there are many self-help techniques that can be done such as talking about one's feelings, keeping a diary and practising mindfulness, Kajevic says.
“If there's no emergency, it helps to take a step back and think about our feelings, question our thoughts and really understand what is making us feel anxious,” she says.
But anxiety in excess can be problematic, Kajevic says. “Anxiety can affect our behavioural, social and physical functions,” says Kajevic. “On a physiological level, anxiety can manifest in several somatic sensations, such as difficulty breathing, elevated heart rate and dizziness.”
Psychosomatic symptoms include fatigue to abdominal pain, which are often markers of excessive anxiety. “Our brains can hide the truth from ourselves, so we need to listen to our bodies,” she says.
Dr Victoria Mountford, a clinical psychologist at Sage Clinics in Dubai, says "Some signs of a panic attack include racing thoughts, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, feeling hot or sweaty and restlessness or trembling.
"We may also feel something bad is about to happen and have a strong urge to escape the situation."
If experiencing a suspected attack, Mountford recommends doing breathing exercises. "Inhale slowly for four seconds, hold for four seconds and exhale through your mouth for four seconds and repeat," she says.
A grounding exercise can also help in the moment. "For example, they can practice the 3-3-3 technique: name three things that you can see, three things that you can hear and move three body parts," explains Mountford. This mental trick can calm the mind and help bring one back to the present.
Mountford says lifestyle changes can help manage future attacks, such as reducing caffeine, ensuring adequate sleep and generally looking after one's physical health.
“Anxiety is fine as long as we don't let it take control over our decisions and behaviours,” adds Kajevic, "and when it does, it is worth going to a professional for treatment."
Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT is the most common treatment for people dealing with anxiety. Through expert guidance, exercises and homework, therapists can equip patients with tools to help them gain more control about their feelings and behaviour.
“What we do clinically, is to try to help people recognise their shortcomings, while still holding themselves at a reasonable level of self regard,” says Dr Damour. “Being able to say, 'Yes, I have imperfections, but I'm still a valuable and worthy person,' that's what we're always trying to achieve in our clinical work.”
Medication is also another option, but experts agree it should be considered when therapy and other self-help strategies have been exhausted.
“Don't condemn your emotions, don't give them pharmaceuticals right away. Just listen to them, accept them, engage with them,” says Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley.
For teenagers who are transitioning from childhood to adolescence, Arfa Banu Khan, a clinical psychologist at Aster Clinic Bur Dubai, says counseling can "help with early identification and management of potential issues. Early therapy can help parents understand the teen phase and adopt a gentle parenting approach, easing the transition process. It also enables teenagers to understand themselves better and manage their emotions rationally."
How to help someone who is experiencing anxiety
It might be difficult for someone to self-assess when they are the ones dealing with too much stress, so the role of family members and friends can be crucial in this regard.
“If you notice any changes in the general day-to-day functioning of someone significant in your life, encourage them to express their feelings without criticising them,” says Kajevic.
“We already have our inner criticisers, so we don't need an external one,” she adds. It's also important for friends and family members not to cause additional panic when there are physical symptoms of anxiety,” adds Kajevic, and to respect the person in whatever way they want to cope with their anxiety – whether by giving them space if they ask for it, or assistance if they want to pursue professional help.
It helps, says Kajevic, that mental health is more readily discussed by younger generations. “I see younger people being more open to therapy and talking about their feelings,” she adds.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
Read more about the coronavirus
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advana, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Results
Final: Iran beat Spain 6-3.
Play-off 3rd: UAE beat Russia 2-1 (in extra time).
Play-off 5th: Japan beat Egypt 7-2.
Play-off 7th: Italy beat Mexico 3-2.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
