Entering this year, we see a lot of political insurgencies all around the world. The authors at Global Psychiatric Association have delved into the dimensions and effects of war on mental health. War has a devastating impact on communities, not only physically but also mentally. The psychological toll of war can be far-reaching, affecting individuals, families, and entire societies long after the conflict has ended. Managing mental health in war situations requires a multi-dimensional approach that takes into account the unique challenges posed by the violence, trauma, and displacement associated with conflict. In this blog, we will explore some key self-help strategies for displaced people that can support mental health and facilitate recovery in difficult circumstances.

1. Building a Routine for Stability:
   One of the first challenges displaced individuals face is the lack of structure and routine, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and isolation. Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of normalcy and control, helping to reduce stress.
   Create a Simple Daily Schedule: Establish a set time to wake up, eat meals, exercise, and go to sleep. Even small activities like making your bed or organizing your living space can help to bring structure to your day.
   Set Achievable Goals: Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This might include finding basic necessities (food, water, hygiene products), learning about the new environment, or engaging in activities that promote mental well-being.
2. Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises:
   Mindfulness practices can help displaced individuals manage stress, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with the present moment, particularly when they are overwhelmed by memories of the past or fears about the future.
   Breathing Exercises: Focused breathing techniques, such as deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing, can help calm the nervous system. For example, the “4-7-8 technique” involves inhaling for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and exhaling slowly for eight seconds. Practicing this regularly can reduce tension and help manage feelings of panic.
   Mindfulness Meditation: Even a few minutes of mindfulness meditation each day can provide a mental break from distressing thoughts. Practicing mindfulness involves observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can help individuals detach from overwhelming emotions and develop a sense of peace.
3. Social Connections and Peer Support:
   Social isolation is a common issue for displaced people, and the lack of social support can exacerbate feelings of sadness and loneliness. However, building new social connections and seeking peer support can significantly enhance psychological resilience.
   Seek Out Support Groups: Many refugee camps, shelters, and community organizations offer peer support groups for displaced people. Connecting with others who have shared similar experiences can reduce feelings of isolation, provide emotional validation, and foster a sense of community.
   Reach Out to Family and Friends: Staying in touch with loved ones, if possible, can help alleviate loneliness and provide emotional support. Even when physical distances are great, staying connected through phone calls, messages, or video chats can help maintain a sense of connection.
4. Expressive Activities for Emotional Processing:
   Expressing emotions in healthy ways can be a powerful tool for processing trauma and reducing psychological distress. Displaced individuals can engage in creative outlets that allow them to explore and release their emotions.
   Journaling: Writing about experiences, thoughts, and feelings can provide an outlet for emotional expression. Journaling offers a private space for displaced individuals to process their trauma and reflect on their journey, which can promote emotional healing.
   Art and Music Therapy: Engaging in artistic activities such as drawing, painting, or making music allows displaced people to express complex emotions that might be difficult to put into words. Art therapy can promote emotional release, offer relaxation, and help individuals gain a sense of control over their lives.
5. Physical Activity and Self-Care:
   Physical health is closely linked to mental health, and maintaining a healthy body can help improve emotional well-being. Engaging in physical activity, even in small ways, can reduce stress, improve mood, and promote a sense of accomplishment.
   Exercise: Even simple exercises, such as walking, stretching, or practicing yoga, can have significant benefits for mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, and can help manage anxiety and depression.
   Sleep Hygiene: Poor sleep can exacerbate mental health issues, making it crucial to establish good sleep habits. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, limiting caffeine intake, and creating a calm sleep environment can promote better rest and improve emotional resilience.
6. Cognitive Restructuring:
   Displacement often comes with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which can negatively impact mental health. Cognitive restructuring involves challenging negative thought patterns and replacing them with more realistic and positive perspectives.
   Reframe Negative Thoughts: Practice identifying unhelpful or negative thoughts and replacing them with more balanced perspectives. For example, instead of thinking “I have lost everything,” try reframing it as “I have experienced loss, but I am still strong, and I can rebuild my life.”
   Practice Gratitude: Despite the challenges, focusing on small things for which you are grateful can help shift the focus from loss to resilience. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing down things you appreciate—whether it’s a kind word from someone or the beauty of nature—can provide a sense of hope and optimism.
7. Accessing Available Resources:
   Displaced individuals may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the resources available to them in their new environment. Identifying and accessing resources that can support mental and physical health is an important part of self-help.
   Health and Psychological Services: Many organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local NGOs, offer mental health and counseling services to displaced populations. It’s important to seek out these resources, even if they are unfamiliar, to receive professional support.
   Legal and Social Support: Navigating legal systems and social services can be difficult, but accessing assistance for housing, food, and legal status can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Local refugee or migrant organizations can help displaced individuals access these essential services.
8. Spiritual Practices and Meaning-Making:
   For many displaced individuals, spirituality and religion provide a sense of hope, comfort, and meaning during times of crisis. Spiritual practices can offer emotional resilience and a framework for understanding suffering.
   Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in prayer or meditation can be a powerful source of comfort. For those who follow a particular religion, connecting with their faith community or engaging in personal rituals can foster a sense of peace and connection to something greater.
   Seeking Meaning in Suffering: In the face of extreme hardship, finding meaning in one’s experiences—whether through faith, personal growth, or community support—can help displaced individuals cope with the psychological toll of displacement. Reflecting on how one can contribute to rebuilding communities or help others who have suffered can create a sense of purpose. These are personal reflections by Dr Rohit Walwaikar.

Hello readers, there are a lot of quotidian phenomena that we come across as a clinician treating the vagaries of life, the conditions that are often referred to in mythological terms. Today through this blog I intend to throw some light onto the psychodynamics of Damocles Syndrome.

Damocles Syndrome refers to a psychological condition where an individual feels constant anxiety or fear of impending doom, often accompanied by the sensation of living under extreme pressure or in a precarious situation. The term is derived from the ancient Greek story of Damocles, where a courtier was invited to experience the luxurious life of a king, only to find a sword hanging over his head, held by a single thread. This story symbolizes the tension of living with an ever-present threat, and Damocles Syndrome mirrors this feeling, often triggered by stress, perfectionism, or the fear of failure. Those affected may experience heightened stress, difficulty making decisions, and a constant sense of vulnerability, even in situations where there is no immediate danger. It’s essentially the fear of a metaphorical “sword” hanging over one’s head, casting a shadow over their sense of security and well-being.

From a psycho-oncological perspective, Damocles Syndrome can be understood as a manifestation of existential distress in individuals grappling with life-threatening illness, particularly cancer. This phenomenon mirrors the psychological burden of living with the constant, looming awareness of mortality, often exacerbated by the physical and emotional toll of the disease. The metaphor of the sword hanging over the individual’s head reflects the persistent anxiety and fear of relapse, progression, or the ultimate end of life, which may interfere with coping mechanisms and psychological resilience. Patients may experience a paradoxical sense of hypervigilance, as they oscillate between moments of apparent stability and the inescapable sense of impending crisis. In the context of psycho-oncology, Damocles Syndrome underscores the complex interplay between the psychological and physical realms of cancer care, revealing how chronic uncertainty, disrupted sense of control, and altered identity contribute to heightened distress. Therapeutically, addressing Damocles Syndrome involves not only managing the somatic aspects of cancer but also fostering emotional and existential support to help patients navigate their fear, develop adaptive coping strategies, and reconcile the precariousness of life with a sense of meaning and purpose.

The Psychodynamics of Damocles Syndrome

The psychodynamics of Damocles Syndrome can be understood through a complex interplay of unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, and existential anxieties, particularly in individuals facing life-threatening illness. At its core, Damocles Syndrome represents an internalized fear of impending doom, often symbolizing a deep, unconscious conflict related to mortality, control, and powerlessness. The central psychodynamic feature is the persistent awareness of vulnerability, where individuals feel as if they are constantly under threat, even if no immediate danger is present. This anxiety can be traced back to unconscious fears of annihilation, or the existential awareness of one’s finitude, which is often heightened in the face of cancer or other chronic illnesses.

By Rohit Walwaikar March 2025

We are looking forward to the next online congress of the Global Psychiatric Association. This is essentially is the 5th Congress of the Global Psychiatric Association. Juan Gaitan from Columbia organised the inaugural Conference in 2021.

For the videos of the previous 4 conferences please check the conference link in the header or click

If you want to contribute a lecture, poster or symposium please let us know.

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We herewith invite you to register and become a member of the Global Psychiatric Association. The Association intends to represent and connect individual psychiatrists and mental health professionals from around the globe. We want to be non-bureaucratic, non-judgemental, kind and inclusive for all.

We finally want to support patients from around the globe.

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