Leaving home for work but feeling anxious, wondering if you forgot to lock the upstairs door, turn off the lights, or switch off the fan… You rush back inside only to discover you forgot nothing! If this scenario happens frequently, beware, you may be suffering from depression!
Mr. Văn Thành (38 years old), a supervisor at a company in Ho Chi Minh City, was offered a more lucrative position at a larger firm. Upon joining the new company, he found himself under immense pressure; his mind was constantly racing, strategizing new ways to grow the business. As he struggled to manage his overwhelming workload, his mind became “stressed,” leading to forgetfulness. Eventually, insomnia crept in, deteriorating his physical health. Faced with complaints from his boss and disdain from colleagues, Thành became disheartened and depressed, ultimately requiring hospitalization for treatment.
In contrast, Ms. Liên Hương (39 years old) serves as the Chief Financial Officer for a foreign entity based in Ho Chi Minh City. Like Thành, she constantly battles anxiety and stress due to her job. One day, a misunderstanding with an acquaintance led her to believe she was being slandered, resulting in an overwhelming fear that everyone at work viewed her negatively. Hương fell into a state of stress and depression, necessitating medical intervention.
Then there’s Ms. Ngọc Quỳnh (32 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City), who left her job to become a homemaker after the birth of her first child. Quỳnh often felt “pressured” by her in-laws and lacked support from her husband, leading her to feel undervalued. She began experiencing persistent sadness and despair. One day, after catching a mild cold, she asked her husband for money to see a doctor, only to be scolded for “being sick while at home!” This was the tipping point that pushed her into depression. Upon her admission to the Psychiatric Hospital, she revealed that she had contemplated suicide.
Dr. Phạm Văn Trụ, Head of Outpatient Department 1 at Ho Chi Minh City Psychiatric Hospital, reported that among the 765 patients who visited the hospital in August, 222 were diagnosed with anxiety and depression. These patients included managers, teachers, business owners, students, and homemakers. Many patients shared that they frequently experienced waves of fear, excessive handwashing due to a fear of dirt (some washing their hands dozens of times a day), an irrational fear of dust, or constant worry about whether they had locked the door upstairs or turned off appliances before leaving home.
Dr. Trụ mentioned that many students who came for consultations had parents with high education levels who did not impose academic pressure. However, these students still fell ill due to “self-imposed excessive striving.” The most alarming cases were those expressing suicidal thoughts. Many who attempted suicide were rescued, and upon awakening, they couldn’t comprehend why they acted that way.
According to doctors, there are moments in life when anyone can exhibit transient symptoms of depression due to stress. However, if the pressures and causes of illness persist, it can lead to genuine depression. Therefore, after experiencing excessive stress, it is crucial to take time to relax, whether through short breaks, listening to music, or engaging in sports to “release” tension from the mind.
Dr. Lâm Xuân Điền, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Psychiatric Hospital, stated that pressures from educational environments, workplaces, and competition keep individuals in a constant state of stress and anxiety, which is a key factor leading to depression. If a person exhibits three symptoms: a consistently sad demeanor, loss of interest in work (once diligent but now lethargic), and rapid energy depletion (often feeling fatigued), they should seek medical attention immediately. A common mistake many make is relying on sedatives for extended periods before visiting a hospital.
