Odysseus Syndrome, A Contemporary Ailment

The Ulysses syndrome , also known as the immigrant syndrome is an acute stress disorder that affects those who immigrate and live in a place other than your home. It goes beyond the normal suffering that affects those who leave home and face an unfamiliar environment. Symptoms and effects sometimes become very severe.

One of the difficulties that Ulysses syndrome implies is its similarity to other disorders. Diagnosis is easily confused with that of other clinical conditions. Likewise, it sometimes generates manifestations so severe that they are confused with psychosis, when in reality they correspond to extreme stress.

Psychiatrist Joseba Achotegui (University of Barcelona) defined Ulysses syndrome . He closely followed the issue of immigration in Spain, one of the countries that most receive migrants in Europe, either permanently or as passersby. It is estimated that this problem affects at least 800,000 residents in that country.

Migration and Ulysses syndrome

Migration is a complex phenomenon that has exceeded many states’ resources to resolve it. There are several types of migration and not all migrants end up suffering from Ulysses syndrome . There is a great influence of personal history and personality, as well as the conditions under which migration takes place and the environment in which it takes place, both what remains and what changes.

A first important factor is the migrant’s history and personality structure, particularly his autonomy and adaptability. Going to another country to make a new life requires psychological strength and a great capacity for resilience. It is not easy to find a place in the new environment and, on the other hand, this change often causes latent personality disorders or problems to manifest.

Likewise, immigration conditions have a great influence. It is not the same situation as for those who must immigrate because they are fleeing a war, those who do so out of a desire to have a better life or see a specific opportunity in the place of destiny. Likewise, everything changes when the family is left behind.

environment and symptoms

A decisive aspect of Odysseus syndrome is the environment in which the person arrives. This can make adaptation very easy or difficult. The place may be socioeconomically prepared to receive immigrants or not. In other words, it is possible that you receive the immigrant to work, that you provide some kind of assistance, or that none of this happens.

The Ulysses syndrome occurs when a person feels toward extreme situations, you can not prepare or digest. This usually happens when you realize that your migration project is basically unfeasible. When it is not welcome or, instead of improving its economic position, it gets worse. This leads to progressive stress, which at a given time can block the person.

Then, the typical symptoms of Ulysses syndrome appear . These are:

• Feeling of estrangement. The individual feels strange and sees others as strangers. This causes fear and a deep sense of vulnerability.
• Constant sadness. There is a yearning for the place of origin and a feeling of mourning that becomes constant.
• Health problems. It is very common for physical symptoms to start appearing, such as migraines, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, etc.

• Stress and anxiety. It’s the most visible symptom. There is a permanent feeling of anguish, as if something terrible is going to happen. There are also difficulties in sleeping and great insecurity in relationships with others.
• Isolation and Depreciation. The person begins to isolate himself from his surroundings, which he perceives as threatening. It also affects your self-concept, lowering your self-esteem.

Sometimes this state becomes the trigger for more serious disturbances. It could also lead to the development of addictions or illegal activities, as it is frustrating for the migrant to see that their expectations are not met. In many cases, this is a serious problem that requires the intervention of a psychologist.