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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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 Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:57 am Post subject: |
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Is it possible that you are a reincarnation of a recently departed poster who was always positive, cheerful, and full of helpful advice? Nah, guess I must be confused.
Didn't he say that culture shock was a danger for all FTs? I took that to mean it was a possibility for all FTs, and I agree. Some FTS suffer depression as a result of culture shock. Some FTs drink too much. Some FTs chase too many women/men. Some FTs gain weight and some lose weight.
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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| boohoohooonceagain wrote: |
"... all foreign teachers" - really ? Why pray tell and what evidence do you have to suggest that all foreign teachers are subject to a higher risk of depression? It's pure ridiculousness to suggest or imply this at all, let alone being malpractice or practicing medicine without a license.
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Nice to see you again, Boohoo. All opinions are welcome here. Sometimes imbalance makes for balance.
Let's get real: a lot of FTs are young and inexperienced. In time, the stressors of life in a foreign country can become more than one can handle, especially if one does not speak the language. Some of these kids don't have enough experience in dealing with adult stressors in their own countries. How can one expect them to handle the stressors to be found in China?
I've known stable adults who came to China and eventually felt extremely isolated and depressed because they weren't prepared for the continual assault upon the senses, the idiocy of bureaucracy, and the somewhat fluid Chinese sense of honesty. They adapted, but after five years or so, they threw in the towel. My own observation of people in circumstances of extended stress leads me to believe that FTs probably are at higher risk of experiencing depression.
As a teacher who taught in inner city schools, I observed dedicated teachers who, after several years of battling the inner city culture, experienced depression due to continual stressors and lack of adequate relief from them. Professional teachers in the U.S. are allowed to take sabbaticals for any reason. The most common reasons were: to further their education, attend to family matters, and to collect themselves emotionally after long periods of stress. Your statements woukld lead me to believe that you are an expert in almost all areas of knowledge, so I will not be surprised when you tell me that you already know this: extended periods of stress contributes to depression. You learned this in basic behavioral psychology when you were studying to become a teacher, right?
If one is truly a western foreign teacher, and he has not experienced extended periods of Bad China Days, I salute him.
But that doesn't necessarily mean that I believe him.
As far as anyone practicing medicine without a license and therefore being liable for malpractice goes, one must realize one thing: this is a forum for foreign teachers. Some speak from experience. Some speak from inexperience. Some just like to argue and brow beat others. We make room for all because we believe in tolerance.
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vikeologist
Joined: 07 Sep 2009
Posts: 600
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| boohoohooonceagain wrote: |
| vikeologist wrote: |
| We do worry about depression though. It's a big danger with foreign teachers; all foreign teachers. Culture shock can hit you hard, and I feel a huge weight of responsibility for anyone that comes to work with us. I'm just saying that based on the very small amount of information that the OP gave, this would not be a red flag for us, and I think any cautious and thought out application would bear fruit with other Unis as well. |
Culture shock and depression are entirely different issues or medical conditions there Doctor.
"... all foreign teachers" - really ? Why pray tell and what evidence do you have to suggest that all foreign teachers are subject to a higher risk of depression? It's pure ridiculousness to suggest or imply this at all, let alone being malpractice or practicing medicine without a license.
There is no reason to believe "foreign teachers" let alone all of them have a higher incidence of anything except over-exaggeration. Some people are more prone to depression based on many factors, including genetics, substance (drug and alcohol) abuse, as well as a multitude of other factors. Other are at reduced risk of developing depression.
Please don't make exaggerated statements about those with no such condition. |
Oh come on, do you really think I said any of those things? |
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wangdaning
Joined: 22 Jan 2008
Posts: 3154
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| Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 1:12 am Post subject: |
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| Miles Smiles wrote: |
As far as anyone practicing medicine without a license and therefore being liable for malpractice goes, one must realize one thing: this is a forum for foreign teachers. Some speak from experience. Some speak from inexperience. Some just like to argue and brow beat others. We make room for all because we believe in tolerance.
Right? |
I would also like to point out, without knowing where people are from, the poster has put everyone under US law. Where exactly are you going to sue these people. Also, (in US law) malpractice implies that you represent yourself as a professional to someone seeking professional advice. The poster who continues to roam here is the only one who has pretended to be a professional in the medical field, thus the only one liable for any malpractice (if anyone here was looking for professional medical advice). |
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Miles Smiles
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1294
Location: Heebee Jeebee
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| Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 11:48 am Post subject: |
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Somebody wrote:
Some people are more prone to depression based on many factors, including genetics, substance (drug and alcohol) abuse, as well as a multitude of other factors.
Overconsumption of alcohol is often a manifestation of depression. Many times, it is an attempt to self-medicate. Ditto for overating. While food is not classified as a drug, people often turn to food for comfort, just as people will turn to a cold beer for comfort. While drinking one or more beers or eating one or more sandwiches at one sitting doesn't necessarily indicate any underlying psychological problem, if the behavior persists over time and increases in frequency, it may indicate underlying problems, especially if the behavior becomes a problem for the individual.
Behavioral psychology 101. I stayed awake during that class, as I am sure the person whom I quoted did too. |
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blitzkrig
Joined: 16 Jan 2011
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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it's quite common for foreigners to have lowered self-confidence, while in China.
All of the sudden, you're not able to do the smallest of things on your own: Go to the bank, read a bus schedule, ask for directions, go to the post office etcetcetc.
It creeps up on you.
That, combined with teaching English at a school that treats you like a bag of money; doesn't care about your work and where you don't have a proper social context.
It can be pretty exhausting.
I have experienced it myself and it's not easy. |
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