Seemingly Fine on the Outside, Crumbling Within: The Reality of 2030s Mental Health

[Anchor]

The mental health of South Koreans is reportedly at a remarkably serious level. In particular, depression among people in their 20s and 30s these days manifests in ways different from what we commonly picture, making it difficult for people around them—and even the individuals themselves—to recognize it as depression.

[Reporter]

In fact, the number of patients receiving treatment for depression in the country has surged over the past few years.

Among patients receiving treatment for depression, those in their 20s accounted for about 200,000, making up approximately 18.5% of all age groups—the largest proportion.

Furthermore, looking at the global average prevalence of depression, it generally tends to increase as people reach middle and older age.

In contrast, South Korea shows the highest concentration of prevalence among those aged 15 to 34.

[Bae Jong-bin / Director, Seoul The Naeun Psychiatry Clinic: Actually, when we ran the statistics on the people who made reservations at our hospital this year, people in their 20s and 30s accounted for about 65% of the total. The depression we typically think of usually involves a depressed mood, reduced sleep and appetite, and a lack of desire to do anything, but young patients actually seem to present a bit differently.]

First, "atypical depression," which is frequently mentioned these days, gets its name because its symptoms differ from typical depression.

Atypical depression can actually involve increased sleep and appetite, as well as "mood reactivity," where one's mood temporarily improves when something good happens.

[Bae Jong-bin / Director, Seoul The Naeun Psychiatry Clinic: So people around them might say, "You seem fine when things are good," and fail to see it as depression. However, just because this mood improves temporarily does not mean it is not depression.]

In addition, one may feel as though their arms and legs are as heavy as water-soaked sponges, accompanied by a sensation of being weighed down.

[Han Chang-su / Psychiatrist, Korea University Guro Hospital: He was an early-30s employee at a major corporation who couldn't get out of bed on weekends, binged on food every night, gained weight, and lately even started being late to work, which is why he came to see me. He came wanting to be tested to see if he had simply become lazy or if he had adult ADHD, but it turned out to be atypical depression.]

There is one depression symptom frequently discussed among the 2030 generation recently.

That is "high-functioning depression."

It refers to a state where someone maintains their daily life well on the outside while experiencing chronic feelings of depression on the inside. Although high-functioning depression is not an official medical diagnosis, a growing number of people say they are experiencing these symptoms these days.

[Han Chang-su / Psychiatrist, Korea University Guro Hospital: They go to work on time in the morning. They give presentations well. They produce results. And they smile around colleagues when necessary. They also eat lunch well. But the moment they close their front door after getting off work, they drain completely. When it comes time to eat, they order delivery food, eat that, look at their smartphones, and fall asleep around dawn.]

[Bae Jong-bin / Director, Seoul The Naeun Psychiatry Clinic: Even when they achieve a goal or something good happens, it doesn't bring joy, and the cycle of getting through the day by handling necessary tasks just repeats itself.]

However, this sounds similar to the burnout experienced by modern people—how do we tell them apart?

[Han Chang-su / Psychiatrist, Korea University Guro Hospital: In short, burnout is when you grow to hate your job, while depression is when you grow to hate your life.]

The two conditions share an important commonality.

Because individuals manage to get through their required tasks and sometimes even smile on the outside, it is difficult for people around them—as well as themselves—to recognize the depression.

How can we recognize our own condition, and what should we do?

[Bae Jong-bin / Director, Seoul The Naeun Psychiatry Clinic: I often tell people to try distinguishing between things they can change and things they cannot. When things do not change no matter how hard you try and exert effort, you inevitably end up feeling helpless and depressed. I tell people to focus once more on the things they can change.]

[Han Chang-su / Psychiatrist, Korea University Guro Hospital: The longer your time spent alone, the more easily depressive symptoms set in. And the symptoms strike more deeply. If possible, try having a face-to-face meal with someone you feel comfortable with about once a week. Our brain cells evolved to form relationships with people. That is why being together with people tends to help us recover.]

[Bae Jong-bin / Director, Seoul The Naeun Psychiatry Clinic: I think the perspective that views these difficulties and sufferings experienced by young people as a lack of willpower or laziness needs to change. Because of this perspective, I see so many people suffering a double burden. We need to view it as a health issue that requires treatment and support.]

[Han Chang-su / Psychiatrist, Korea University Guro Hospital: We aren't discriminated against for receiving treatment when we have a stomachache or a headache. We need to establish systems to ensure that such things do not carry a stigma. Workplace culture is necessary for that. While leaving work early because your body hurts is very easy, people are still somewhat clumsy about saying they are leaving early because their hearts hurt. A shift in perception is required.]

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