Jeong Jun-sung's Yeomin Dongnak (345) 'Spring Peak'

Melancholy and depression are clearly different.

Melancholy refers to negative emotions that can naturally arise in everyday life.

Depression, on the other hand, is an illness that requires professional treatment.

This is because it affects not only mood but also physical activity, thoughts, and social life.

While the initial signal is lethargy, if it begins to interfere with daily life, it should be viewed as a precursor to depression.

Furthermore, if it is accompanied by physical symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, and weight, it should be considered severe.

These days, despite spring weather, the number of people complaining of depression is increasing noticeably.

The medical community has long identified spring as a period with elevated suicide risk.

This is due to the complex interaction of increased sunlight, environmental changes, and circadian rhythm instability.

This is the phenomenon known as 'Spring Peak.'

While the cause has not been definitively identified, statistics suggest a strong correlation with seasonal depression.

The reasoning is that as sunlight and temperature change abruptly, hormonal balance can be disrupted, and emotional fluctuations and impulsivity may increase.

While sunlight is a positive factor for mental health, sudden environmental changes can actually act as a stressor.

This is also evident in national death statistics from the government data center.

In March 2021, April 2022, May 2023, and April 2024, suicide rates peaked each spring season.

When depression becomes severe, it leads to disrupted thought processes, behavioral disorders, impaired judgment, reduced social coping ability, decreased concentration, and ultimately suicide attempts.

Generally, it is reported in academic circles that 4 out of 5 depression patients consider suicide, and 1 out of 6 actually attempt it.

In essence, suicide is chosen as a last resort to escape suffering.

Recently, depression among middle-aged people in Korea is rapidly increasing, adding to spring melancholy.

According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, the number of people in their 40s who received treatment for depression last year was 167,251, a 52% increase from 110,276 in 2020.

This is three times the average increase rate (17%) for all age groups. Those in their 50s also increased by approximately 20,000 over five years to 136,505.

Middle age is a life transition period where roles change at work and home, and this is the result of middle-aged Koreans bearing unique burdens such as caring for aging parents, children's marriages, and sometimes caregiving responsibilities.

The weight of suffering borne by middle-aged people trapped in social roles, or 'personas,' is significant enough to infer from these circumstances.

Early diagnosis and treatment of depression are of utmost importance.

If symptoms are suspected, it is advisable to seek medical care without delay.