"It's a matter of will. If you just live recklessly, feeling depressed and such is not a problem at all."
"Oh mom, depression is not like that."
The son, who is worried about his wife suffering from depression, responds sternly to his mother who called him. Depression is not a temporary emotion that can be overcome by willpower. It is a 'disease' that can only be overcome by taking medication if necessary and doing one's best to take care of daily life.
The above conversation is a scene from the short drama 'My Wife Has Depression', which the Ministry of Health and Welfare released on YouTube at the end of last year. This short drama, which is about 22 minutes long, has become a hot topic, recording a cumulative view count of 4.41 million (as of January 20) in just one month. The more than 900 comments are filled with voices of empathy. Viewers of the video express self-deprecating remarks like, "There are no husbands like that in reality," while also saying, "I think depression was really well expressed," "I know what it's like to have depression, and the person next to you is really important," and "I just watched this video and cried my eyes out."
The reason this short drama resonated so much with viewers is that it depicts depression in a very realistic and not exaggerated manner. In the drama, the wife suffering from depression struggles to get out of bed, prepare meals, and get sunlight, but tries not to show it. The husband, who is worried about his wife, makes an effort to care for her, but ultimately admits that he is also exhausted in the process.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare reportedly sought a lot of advice and consultation from psychiatric specialists for the production of the video. The realistic portrayal by depression experts has enhanced the drama's authenticity. For reference, many beloved TV dramas such as
Depression, Stress, and Burnout Are Distinctly Different
"I think it's stress or burnout. Who isn't struggling these days? If you think about it, you and I are also depressed," says the colleague, to which the male protagonist shouts back.
"Hey, are depression, stress, and burnout the same? Then why are they separate?"
This short drama calmly shows various aspects of depression and emphasizes that depression is distinctly different from stress and burnout. In reality, these are symptoms that need to be distinguished, but many overlook them and end up suffering from illness.
To distinguish between these three, one should check how long the 'sad feelings' have persisted. First, stress is a temporary state of tension or anxiety, which can be recovered through a short break or problem-solving. Burnout can manifest longer than stress. Stress can last for weeks or months, leading to feelings of lethargy. Especially when one falls into burnout, the motivation for work is lost. However, burnout may still allow for enjoyment outside of work, and adjusting the environment or roles can help overcome it to some extent.
However, depression has a subtly different manifestation. If feelings of sadness, depression, and emptiness persist almost daily for more than two weeks, or if symptoms like insomnia and loss of appetite accompany them, one should suspect depression. Usually, burnout often develops into depression. Depression does not resolve simply by resting or changing the environment.
In particular, symptoms like 'dysthymia' among depressions can be hard to notice, requiring careful observation. If one unknowingly develops dysthymia, a persistent low mood can lead to a lack of interest in anything and frequent fatigue. If such symptoms are discovered, it is necessary to stop self-blame and consider the possibility of depression.
Depression Is Not a Weakness of Will, but a 'Disease' That Requires Treatment
The most dangerous thing when suffering from depression is to label it as a 'weakness of will'. The most dangerous words for someone with depression are phrases like, "Why are you struggling so much? Why are you so weak-willed?"
Psychiatric specialists emphasize that "depression is not a matter of will, but a disease that requires treatment such as counseling and medication." Like any other illness, if the timing of treatment is missed, recovery can take a long time. If one finds themselves in a state of lethargy and loss of motivation, repeatedly imagining death, it is advisable to visit a hospital promptly for a formal diagnosis.
