Migration and Mental Health: Ulysses Syndrome

Psychologist. Anna holds a Postgraduate Specialization in Mental Health of Immigrants, Minorities and the Socially Excluded with Psychological and Cultural Interventions, awarded by the University of Barcelona.

Ulysses Syndrome

Ulysses Syndrome is not a pathology but it is a combination of symptoms. Its name given by Dr. Joseba Achotegui of the University of Barcelona, draws an analogy in reference to Ulysses, the Greek character in Homer’s work, for the multiple adversities Ulysses encountered and undergo on his journey. In this way, Achotegui makes a comparison to the experiences suffered by immigrants who travel under extreme circumstances, suffering and surviving all kinds of hardships, in a heroic way like Ulysses did. His studies make the differentiation that they do not belong to a psychopathology, that is, they do not suffer from mental illness, because there is no name for their suffering. (Achotegui, 2002). Rather, they experience inhumane stress factors for which there is no capacity to adapt and if this situation is not resolved, these symptoms can cross the line from mental health to mental illness.

Ulysses syndrome falls in the area of health and preventive care and in the psychosocial sector rather than in the area of treatment. If the symptomatology persists indefinitely in a person, the risk of disease will increase, a situation that aggravates by limitations to access to health systems or misdiagnoses, lack of social support, maladaptive behaviors of the person (such as alcoholism), social and institutional discrimination, invisibility, social exclusion, etc.

Migration and Pathology

If we talk about the “Syndrome of the Immigrant with Multiple Chronic Stress”, this is not a diagnosis formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM; latest edition: DSM-5-TR, published in March 2022). However, the symptoms experienced by immigrants can be evaluated and diagnosed under broader categories that are in the DSM-5-TR.

Some of the diagnoses that could be applied to individuals migrating under extreme circumstances and who are facing multiple stressors, include:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): If the person has experienced traumatic events, such as violence, persecution, or natural disasters, they may meet the criteria for this disorder.
2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive anxiety about various situations, which can be common in immigrants due to the uncertainty and stress of adjustment.
3. Major Depressive Disorder: Depression can arise as a result of adjusting to a new environment, loss of support network, and other stressors.
4. Adjustment Disorder: This diagnosis refers to difficulty adjusting to a significant life change, which may include immigration.
5. Stress-related disorders: There are other disorders that may be relevant depending on the nature and duration of the stress experienced.

It is critical to have a thorough evaluation performed by a mental health professional to determine the proper diagnosis and offer the necessary treatment.

In conclusion:

Migratory stress and grief can have a significant impact on migrant’s mental and physical health. It is crucial that they receive appropriate support, which may include mental health  and social services, support groups, and community resources to facilitate their social integration and cultural adaptation to a new place. Understanding these processes is essential to properly addressing the risk factors to their mental health.