There is a particular kind of suffering that often remains unseen amongst us.
It affects people who are physically safe, yet emotionally and mentally still connected to regions in “crisis”, which is honestly a word that doesn’t grasp the extend of what is happening however serves its purpose in the definition of “a situation in which something or someone is affected by one or more very serious problems”.
It is important to acknowledge that while many from the SWANA region ( South West Asia and North Africa, also called the “middle east”) are deeply affected not only at this moment, but since the establishment of the first Israeli settlements, they are not alone in carrying such invisible weight.
Across the world, from Sudan to Congo, from Ukraine to Myanmar, and beyond, countless individuals are living with the ongoing realities of war, oppression, and displacement. Different places, different stories, yet often the same silent burden carried within. People who wake up, go to work, attend meetings, answer emails… while part of them remains elsewhere.
Watching. Waiting. Holding their breath.
This is the reality for many individuals living in the diaspora today. From a psychological and neurological perspective, this creates a profound inner conflict.
The rational mind knows: “I am safe.”
But the emotional brain, especially the limbic system, does not operate on logic alone. Our phones and media allow us to be connected anytime, anywhere. There is a constant exposure to distressing news, emotional bonds with loved ones in danger and the deep sense of identity tied to a place in crisis.
And here lies the problem, our brains, which have not much developed since we lived in caves and hunted for food do not recognize that something we see on our little screens is not an imminent threat to our lives. And therefore, just like with our prehistoric ancestors, turns on the fight or flight system. As a result, the nervous system can remain in a state of chronic activation, manifesting as:
– persistent anxiety or inner restlessness
– difficulty concentrating
– sleep disturbances
– emotional overwhelm… or, paradoxically, emotional numbness
The body, in many ways, behaves as if the threat were immediate. And as if this is not enough, for many individuals from the SWANA diaspora working in Western environments, an additional, often invisible tension arises.
Externally, life here continues as expected, meetings, responsibilities, performance. But internally, attention is divided between professional demands and an ongoing emotional connection to regions in crisis. This constant shift between two realities creates an additional, persistent strain on the nervous system.
The brain is asked to remain focused and composed, while simultaneously processing concern, uncertainty, or grief. Adding to this is the unspoken pressure to appear “normal” in environments where such experiences are rarely acknowledged. As a result, emotions are often held in rather than expressed. Over time, this may lead to mental fatigue, reduced concentration, or a sense of being disconnected, even while fully present.
Adding to the constant stress is another rather peculiar symptom. One of the most complex emotional responses observed in diaspora populations is survivor’s guilt. A quiet but persistent inner dialogue:
“Why am I here, while others are there?”- “How can I live normally when others are suffering?” – “Do I even have the right to feel okay?”
All of this can lead to a multitude of actions and feelings:
– self-suppression of joy or relief
– compulsive monitoring of news and updates
– a feeling of being “split” between two realities
– anger or the loss of feeling “home” in the countries of choice (since nobody gives a shit)
Over time, this internal tension becomes more than exhausting. It is like we would be constantly running from the famous sabre-toothed cat.
The elevated levels of stimulants our brain and adrenals release to safe our lives do much harm on the long term.
Chronically elevated cortisol and adrenaline can lead to anxiety, sleep disturbances, weakened immunity, digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, and long-term cardiovascular strain. One thing must be mentioned very clearly: The human nervous system is not designed for prolonged states of uncertainty and emotional intensity.
Many of those my age from the SWANA region have spent more than 60% of their life in war (actively or from far does not matter as stated above), which is by far exceeding normal levels of strain.
And when exposure to distress becomes continuous, the system may struggle to return to baseline. Instead, it oscillates between hyperactivation as in anxiety, agitation and overthinking. And shutdown, like numbness, disconnection and emotional fatigue. Both are protective mechanisms. Our body and mind are really trying their best to safe us…
But, when they persist, they can impact mental clarity, emotional stability and overall physical wellbeing. In such states, many people try to “think their way through it” (with more or less successful ways or coping mechanisms). But not everything can be solved by thinking. Because what is being carried is not only cognitive. It is physiological. Emotional. And deeply embedded in the body.
This is where approaches like hypnotherapy come in. Not by forcing expression, but by creating a space where the system itself can begin to regulate, a space where the mind can soften. And the body can slowly let go of what it has been holding for too long.
In a deeply relaxed and focused inner attention state, the mind becomes more receptive, and the body can begin to release accumulated tension, at its own pace.
This may look like:
– a quiet reduction of inner pressure
– a gentle reconnection with emotions
– or simply a sense of lightness, without needing to understand everything
Sometimes it is not about erasing what has happened and is happening, it is about learning how to carry it… differently.
For those affected by the current situation, what I can offer is not advice, salvation or healing it is something much simpler.
A space where: Nothing has to be justified, nothing has to be minimized, and nothing has to be explained perfectly.
Just a space to be.
I am offering free, confidential hypnotherapy sessions during the month of May to gently support your inner balance.
If this resonates with you, you are warmly welcome to reach out.
With Love,
Lucie