Related: Mental impact of pandemic could affect frontline staff and patients for years
Healthcare workers and Covid-19 patients who come under great stress can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder that can lead to dementia later in life, suggests a new study.
Researchers analysed the results of more than a dozen studies published in The British Journal of Psychiatry and found a direct link between PTSD and dementia.
The findings are based on the data collected from more than 1.7 million people across the world. It suggested those with PTSD are 61 per cent more likely to suffer dementia at a later stage.
Tanya Dharamshi, clinical director and counselling psychologist at the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Dubai, said she has seen more patients receive treatment for PTSD as a direct result of the pandemic.
“It stands to reason some people will go on to develop PTSD, particularly, if their recovery is lengthy or their physical health remains impacted,” she said.
“It can also affect those who have lost a loved one, especially when you consider the circumstances, as they are likely to be isolated from their loved ones at the time of their death.”
According to the National Health Service in the UK, PTSD can develop after a very stressful, frightening or distressing event, or after a prolonged traumatic experience.
It is unclear why some people develop the condition while others do not.
People who have suffered from depression or anxiety in the past, do not have emotional and psychological support or have gone through a traumatic event are more likely to develop PTSD.
The sufferers experience insomnia, get angry, confused and anxious, have panic attacks, flashbacks or numbness, and feel detached from reality.
“Those who have had a previous traumatic experience could find Covid-19 triggers the condition again,” said Ms Dharamshi.
“Previous sufferers move into a fight or flight zone when they re-experience similar emotions such as panic, a lack of control, anxiety and a fear of being hurt or dying.”
To combat the psychological ill-effects of the pandemic, several help avenues of support have been set up for healthcare staff, patients and their families.
The ReacHer initiative in the UAE provides counselling to women via WhatsApp, and allows psychologists and life coaches to offer online support to those who have suffered during the pandemic.
A free helpline was also established by the UAE National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing.
Treatment for PTSD varies, and can include cognitive processing therapy, eye movement desensitisation reprocessing, stress inoculation therapy, prolonged exposure therapy and medication management.
"I have worked with several clients who showed signs of PTSD, with flashbacks, intense and overwhelming feelings when remembering traumatic events," said Anil Arora, a psychotherapist in Abu Dhabi who organises counselling sessions online for Change Therapies, a digital therapy clinic.
“Witnessing a trauma like a loved one being hospitalised for Covid-19 or even surviving the virus can cause PTSD.
“In fact, those people who are front-line workers are prone to PTSD as they are experiencing trauma everyday.”
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Spare
Profile
Company name: Spare
Started: March 2018
Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah
Based: UAE
Sector: FinTech
Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019
The%20specs
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
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16 years, 68 days old
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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
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
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- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
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FIXTURES
UAE’s remaining fixtures in World Cup qualification R2
Oct 8: Malaysia (h)
Oct 13: Indonesia (a)
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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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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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
