Acculturative stress

Acculturative stress

Taking into account the amount of stress that every big move means in a standard individual´s life, acculturative stress usually emanates strongly from the challenge of having to face a new life in an unfamiliar environment. No matter the reason for being an expat, the point is that the culture clash, in one way or another, will sooner or later impact on any expat´s daily life, performance and identity.

The feeling of not belonging to the new culture, including the language, with its jargon; the food, the dressing codes, even the smells, and the way its inhabitants interact, may lead into complete isolation, with the sensation that “gaining a place” in such strange world will always be an unreachable goal. On the other hand, the idealization of what “used to be” tends to increase, giving way to un utter feeling of loss of interest in life.

Uprooting always leaves a mark on any person, usually experienced as deep sadness, causing a disorder that disables people and, since it can endure through months and even years, needs urgent professional attention. The most common symptoms include intense fatigue, lack of attention, difficulties to concentrate and to cope with daily demands, hence, putting one´s own and other people´s lives at stake.

Rendering psychological attention is a must for expats under such conditions. This will allow them to start an adjustment process, analyzing their own prejudices and coping with the new ways and pros that lie ahead.