Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Abuja can be extremely stressful, what with the unfilled vacancies, the high-fraud environment, the pace of work, and the constant background noise of possible terrorism and crime. The Med Unit is good at offering workshops and events focused on resilience (and they do a good job of seeming like they offer it because they care, and not because A Resilient Employee Is A Productive Employee). - Jun 2024
The limited range of movement can be seriously frustrating. Use school vacations and R&R to get out as much as you can. - Sep 2019
We've stayed this long at this post because of the sun. I do not suffer from SAD here like I did in northern Europe, (The Netherlands is always gloomy). Mexico, Jordan, Saudi where all great for that. Germany and The Netherlands I had to have a 'happy light' and use St. John's Wort. As a trained psychologist, I would say that this post is not for the whining, faint of heart type. If you have kids and need household help, this would be a better post. Safe access to the school, large area to run around and play, close access to other wives and mothers, etc. On the other hand, if you've got a shopaholic wife or one who isn't content to stay home...this might be a very stressful situation for them. Also for people who are less than aggressive if they have to drive. To succeed on the road here you must be patient, but assertive and if you suffer from 'road rage' in D.C., don't assume because the traffic is less, that the frustration will also be less. - Feb 2019
Isolation is tough. You have fly out of here for any break. Some EFMs that don't work I believe have it tough. - Apr 2018
There is plenty of sunshine, so remember that Doxycycline increases sensitivity to sunlight. Also, there is some possibility of frustration from the poor driving. - Jun 2016
