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More Koreans are showing symptoms of depression amid the economic crisis and a spate of recent celebrity suicides.
Psychiatrist Lee Chang-han said the number of depression sufferers he has seen has nearly doubled over the last few weeks. Fellow psychiatrist Park Jin-seng said the number of people suffering from depression for economic reasons has soared.
¡ß Depression is contagious.
Experts warn that a kind of "collective depression" in Korean society has reached serious proportions. Ha ji-hyun, a professor of psychiatry at Konkuk University Medical Center said depression usually associated with middle-aged people is spreading, and now more and more people in their 20s and 30s are affected. He added many young people are also suffering from the illness in the wake of the economic recession.
Kim Ho-ki, a professor of sociology at Yonsei University, said, "It's natural that the number of depression sufferers increases amid rampant individualism. The big problem is society's failure to embrace or help people with depression."
Ha said, "Just as psychological barriers in the stock price index tumble, so the spiritual barrier which supports people's life is collapsing." Lee said, "As yawning is contagious, so is depression."
¡ß Exercise and keep a cool head.
Experts are advising people to look at things cool-headedly. "Readjust your life goals to a realistic level, and reduce the risk of psychological impact." Ha said.
Kim Chung-woon, a professor of cultural psychology at Myongji University, advises moving a lot. ¡°If you move your body, you will have a different perception of environments and a different way of accepting your own situation."
It is also important to diagnose depression as soon as possible. It is a sign that you may be on the verge of depression, if you lose the desire to eat, sleep or have sex. Park Jin-seng, who treated the late actress Choi Jin-sil for her depression, said she responded well to treatment at first, ¡°but I only prescribed medication for her later due to her busy schedule. The most important thing for depression sufferers is his or her will to undergo treatment without stopping."
¡ß Government help
Some experts are calling for medium- and long-term government measures to help sufferers. Kim Ho-ki said, "The economically underprivileged, who can't afford hospital treatment for their depression, suffer most. The government should help to keep people physically and psychologically healthy by employing counselors at public health offices."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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