Characteristics of Depression in Korea and Non-Pharmacological Treatment

한국에서 우울증의 특징과 비약물학적 치료

  • Roh, Sungwon (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Park, Yong Chon (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Hanyang University)
  • 노성원 (한양대학교 의과대학 신경정신과학교실) ;
  • 박용천 (한양대학교 의과대학 신경정신과학교실)
  • Published : 2006.11.30

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. Some characteristics of depression in Korea were elucidated. The tendency to express depressive feeling through somatic complaints is more prominent in Korea than in Western countries. Careful studies on depressive symptoms suggest that guilt and suicidal idea are apparent among Korean depressive patients as well as among Western subjects. But most depressive patients in Korea are reluctant to express suicidal idea, which is hidden under the somatic complaints. We should remember the possibility of research artifacts or cultural bias with regard to the evaluation of depressive symptoms of a country in comparison with other countries. Non-pharmacological treatment of depression includes dynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, self-care treatment, etc. Some kinds of Korean culture relevant psychotherapies are introduced: Tea therapy, Imago therapy, Tao psychotherapy, and combined approach. Interest in the aged people is growing recently, and the research about the factors which affect the depressive disorders in older patients and treatment strategy for them is ongoing.

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