Increasing Depression in Autumn, Surge in Female Patients.

News has emerged that the number of patients suffering from depression, often referred to as "the common cold of the mind," has exceeded one million in South Korea. Of significant concern is the fact that among these depression patients, women outnumber men by more than twice the number, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen mental health welfare services.

 

Experts recommend activities such as walking for at least 30 minutes during daylight hours, consuming green vegetables, fruits, and nuts, and reducing alcohol consumption to improve sleep quality as ways to alleviate seasonal affective disorder.

 

According to recent data obtained from the National Health Insurance Corporation by Nam In-soon, a member of the Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly's Democratic Party (representing Seoul's Songpa District), the number of people receiving treatment for depression reached a historic high of 1,007,440 last year, crossing the one million mark for the first time.

 

Looking at the annual breakdown, there has been a consistent increase in the number of depression patients each year: 752,976 in 2018, 799,110 in 2019, 832,378 in 2020, and 915,298 in 2021.

 

Breaking down the depression treatment numbers by gender for the past year, it's evident that women accounted for a significantly higher number, with 674,555 female patients compared to 326,189 male patients, surpassing men by more than twice the number.

 

In 2022, when categorized by age, the highest number of depression patients were in their 20s, with 185,942 individuals (18.6%), followed by those in their 30s at 161,080 (16%), 60s at 143,090 (14.3%), 40s at 142,086 (14.2%), 50s at 126,453 (12.6%), 70s at 118,830 (11.1%), and those aged 80 and above at 71,210 (7.1%).

 

Notably, the group that received the most depression treatment was young women in their 20s, accounting for 121,534 cases (12.1%). Among them, the most astonishing increase was observed in women in their 20s, with the number of patients more than doubling from 57,696 in 2018 to 121,534 in 2022, marking a 110.65% increase.

 

In response to these findings, Nam In-soon, the National Assembly member, pointed out that "in a society with numerous psychological and social factors that exacerbate stress and anxiety, individuals are more vulnerable to mental illnesses like depression." She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about depression and improving accessibility to treatment, noting that early treatment can lead to recovery.

 

Medical experts mention that some symptoms of depression include overwhelming feelings of sadness or anxiety, extreme thoughts such as "I should just die," "I'd be better off dead," or "I wish I could disappear," along with disrupted sleep patterns, loss of appetite, and a profound sense of physical lethargy.

 

Furthermore, it's essential to consider the influence of seasonal factors on depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is known to be triggered by a combination of serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters affected by daylight exposure. As daylight diminishes during autumn, it can lead to reduced synthesis of vitamin D and the impairment of serotonin (responsible for mood regulation) and melatonin (necessary for a restful sleep), potentially exacerbating depression symptoms.

 

Experts recommend activities such as walking for at least 30 minutes during daylight hours, consuming green vegetables, fruits, and nuts, and reducing alcohol consumption to improve sleep quality as ways to alleviate seasonal affective disorder. It's essential to follow such advice to protect the mental health of our mothers, wives, girlfriends, or ourselves.