author - oman observer

I have recently travelled on a holiday to Vietnam with my twin sons. It was a great opportunity to enjoy nature, learn about Vietnamese culture and heritage, and equally, get to know my sons a little...

Since my mother passed away last January, I find myself driving to her favourite spot on the beach, parking my car, getting out my folding chair, and facing the ocean just the way my late mother liked...

Mrs M came to her therapy session a little later than usual. She looked upset, and when asked, she told me that her supervisor had commented on her work, saying that the report she submitted...

Last week, a friend sent me a video of a psychiatrist citing a study that claimed 11 per cent of the population in Oman is depressed. My friend wanted to know if this was true and, if so, what might...

The South Korean drama “Bon appétit, your majesty” captured my attention not only for its amazing historical setting but for the warmth and subtle emotional lessons embedded within its story. The...

Mrs A is a 44-year-old housewife and a mother of three daughters. She was diagnosed with depression following the birth of her middle daughter, who had autism. At a recent consultation, Mrs A informed...

At a recent workshop, a colleague shared an incident that caused her frustration. She described a team member who seemed to constantly undermine her during meetings, interrupting her points,...

A few weeks ago, social media platforms shared the story of a man from northern Italy who decided to go out for a walk to calm his nerves after an argument with his wife, but the short walk turned...

I recently met a school friend I had not seen in years. After the usual greetings, the first question he asked was: “Have you retired from your job?” I usually find this question slightly...

At a recent workshop, a nurse shared her experience with a 78-year-old patient who had Alzheimer’s disease. He had been admitted with a chest infection, but during his stay, he became increasingly...

Last weekend, my son brought a virtual reality headset and suggested that I try it. The game he had installed was a virtual reality roller coaster, and all I had to do was sit in a chair facing the TV...

The documentary 'Malcolm and Barbara: Love’s Farewell' captures the painful journey of a man diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at just 51 years old. Over the course of eleven years, the film...

I have recently come across the story of Stein-Erik Soelberg, a 56-year-old former Yahoo technology executive who had a history of alcoholism and mental illness. He killed his 83-year-old mother...

For many years, meditation was presented as a universal solution for a wide range of psychological and physical issues, from managing work-related stress to healing from trauma and alleviating chronic...

We've all been there: you forget your phone at home and panic about getting reunited with it. When you check into a hotel at your holiday destination, the first thing you ask for is the Wi-Fi...

Last week, a man came to my clinic to attend his wife’s hospital appointment, as she is now bedridden and unable to talk. The woman had end-stage Alzheimer’s disease and her husband has been the...

Watching movies can be relaxing during a weekend or holiday, but it can also be a way to learn about other cultures, their customs and geopolitical situations. So when my Iranian friend recommended...

Whenever I attend a management or leadership course, scroll through social media, or read self-help books, emotional intelligence is almost always highlighted as a key to winning the 'hearts and...

Ahmed (not his real name) was in his early twenties when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He believed he was a time traveller who had lost his time machine and become stuck in the present. He kept...

I must admit that I am running out of excuses every time my eldest son asks me, “When are you coming with me to the gym?”. Sometimes I say I have a Zoom meeting or need to complete a report, but...