Working in the Gulf: sleep, heat, long shifts and loneliness
By Dr. Yujal Man Singh, MD (Psychiatry) · Medically reviewed · 20 September 2026
Many of the people I see online are Nepalis working in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. They rarely start by saying “I am depressed”. They say “I cannot sleep”, “my head feels heavy”, or “I get angry on the phone with my family”. I spent long months away from home myself on UN missions, and I recognise the pattern.
What I commonly hear
- Poor sleep because of shifts, heat, noise and shared rooms
- Worry about loans, family needs and contract renewal
- Feeling guilty for being tired or unhappy when family thinks you are “earning well”
- Loneliness, and missing festivals and family events
- Using alcohol, or scrolling the phone late at night, to switch off
Signs it is more than normal stress
Talk to someone if low mood, worry or poor sleep last more than two weeks, if you stop enjoying things you used to like, if you have panic attacks, if you drink more to cope, or if you have thoughts that life is not worth living.
Small things that help
- Keep the same wake-up time, even on days off. Your body clock needs it more than a long lie-in.
- Keep the phone away from the bed for the last half hour before sleep.
- Call home at a fixed time, so calls are something to look forward to, not a daily pressure.
- Find one or two people in your camp or workplace you can talk to honestly.
- Write down money worries with a simple plan. Worry shrinks when it is on paper.
Sleep problems are treatable
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line treatment for long-term sleep problems. A meta-analysis of 87 trials in Sleep Medicine Reviews found it improves insomnia severity and sleep quality, with face-to-face treatment of at least four sessions working best [1]. It works well by video call.
Getting help from where you are
You can see me online by video call at a time that suits your shift. Sessions are in Nepali. If medicine is needed, I can work with your local doctor. Local emergency numbers for each country are on my Nepalis abroad page.
Research behind this article
- van Straten A, et al. Cognitive and behavioral therapies in the treatment of insomnia: a meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2018;38:3-16. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2017.02.001
If you see me, please fill in the BMS form before and after each session. It is a must.
In a crisis? If you or someone near you may act on thoughts of suicide, go to the nearest hospital emergency or call 1166 in Nepal. Abroad, call your local emergency number.