The number of people seeking help for psychological stress disorders related to Covid-19 has risen significantly, according to a report by specialist psychiatrists in Dubai.
The pandemic's effect on the mental health of hospital workers has been well documented, with experts now revealing that the trend has filtered into the general population.
Post traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common diagnoses in patients spending prolonged periods in hospital, or those who witness the struggles of loved ones struck down by the virus.
There has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking help regarding their mental health problems and PTSD has been common
“Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking help regarding their mental health problems and PTSD has been common,” said Dr Haseeb Rohilla, a psychiatrist at the Priory Wellbeing Centre, Dubai.
“Their symptoms are very similar to those who are healthcare professionals in the hospitals and are witnessing patients struggle as well as family members, friends and others.”
Common PTSD stressors include the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness either in yourself or a loved one, sudden death of a friend or family member, or witnessing the death or serious injury of another.
Symptoms usually involve intrusive and uncontrollable re-experiencing of aspects of the trauma that present in the form of fragmented images, memories, flashbacks, distressing dreams or nightmares of the traumatic event.
Some individuals may deliberately mentally shut off to avoid remembering the traumatic experience, while others experience diminished interest in activities in general, a sense of detachment and emotional numbness.
"Recovery from PTSD is greatly aided by good social support, and family and friends can play a vital role," Dr Rohilla said.
“Without [treatment] the condition may follow a chronic course over many years with eventual transition to an enduring personality change.”
Several published and peer-reviewed studies related previous viral outbreaks with PTSD among health professionals.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers), and the 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) were all associated with mental health issues among healthcare workers.
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Research by King’s College London found almost half of staff working in intensive care units in England during the Covid-19 pandemic also suffered severe anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Counsellors in Dubai said that trend was now being replicated in those most affected by the virus outside of hospital professionals.
Marie Byrne, who runs a wellness clinic in Dubai and volunteers as a counsellor for the National Programme for Happiness and Well-being, said people with covid-related anxiety are experiencing "battle fatigue".
“Since September, the reasons people are coming to the clinic have changed,” she said.
“Most people now have issues related to anxiety from Covid-19 that are presenting in stress disorders. They have been in battle against covid for a year, and there will still be uncertainty about what happens in the future."
The mental health support line is one of the main initiatives under the umbrella of the Higher National Committee for Regulating Volunteering.
Ms Byrne is one of 16 volunteers providing support and counselling to those who need it most, usually over the phone but also via WhatsApp messaging through the national programme.
“There is always an Arabic and English speaker on shift at a time, so the service is open to all,” she said.
“It is a well-organised service that is in demand.”
Those in need can call the free helpline on 800 4673 or send a WhatsApp message on the same number between 8am and 8pm daily.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
Bawaal%20
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Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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