Mental health info
From the basics of common mental health conditions to ways to cope, plus care, support, and patients' rights in Korea.
Conditions and states of mind
Depression: a treatable illness, not just a bad mood
The main symptoms and causes of depression, how it is treated, and why it is not a matter of "weak willpower."
Anxiety and panic disorder: excessive worry and sudden fear
The difference between generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, what to do during a panic attack, and how they are treated.
Adult ADHD: attention problems discovered in adulthood
What adult ADHD looks like, common misconceptions, how it is diagnosed and treated, and practical tips for daily life.
Bipolar disorder: when moods swing between extremes
Symptoms of bipolar disorder, in which mania and depression alternate, how it differs from depression, and how treatment prevents relapse.
Schizophrenia and psychosis: the earlier it is caught, the faster the recovery
Symptoms of psychosis such as hearing voices and delusions, myths and facts about schizophrenia, early signs, and why early treatment matters.
Self-esteem: your default attitude toward yourself
What self-esteem is, signs and causes of low self-esteem, and everyday ways to build it.
Burnout: when you feel completely drained
Symptoms of burnout, how it differs from depression, and what you can do to recover.
Alcohol use disorder: when drinking becomes a problem
Signs of risky drinking and alcohol dependence, ways to cut down, and where to get help.
Nicotine dependence: why quitting smoking is so hard
Why cigarettes are hard to give up, how to get through withdrawal, and free support to help you quit.
Trauma and PTSD: the mind after a shocking event
Normal reactions after a traumatic event, how they differ from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and how recovery and treatment work.
Dementia: how is it different from forgetfulness, and when should you get checked?
The difference between dementia and ordinary forgetfulness, early signs, where to get evaluated, what families can do, and habits that lower the risk.
Coping
Things you can try on your own when you are struggling
Everyday ways to care for your mind — sleep, movement, sorting through thoughts — and when to see a professional.
How to help a family member or friend who is struggling
What to say and what to avoid, how to suggest getting professional help, and how helpers can look after themselves.
When you are thinking about dying: what you can do right now
What you can do immediately when you have suicidal thoughts, 24/7 crisis lines, and how to make a safety plan.
Care and support in Korea
Your first visit to a psychiatry clinic in Korea: what to expect
How to choose a clinic in Korea, how the first appointment goes, rough costs, and concerns about medical records.
Mental health support in Korea you can get without worrying about money
Free counseling at community mental health welfare centers, national counseling vouchers, treatment cost support, and other public programs in Korea.
Law and rights in Korea
Types of psychiatric admission under Korea's Mental Health Welfare Act
The differences between voluntary, consent-based, guardian-requested, administrative, and emergency admission in Korea, and how discharge works for each.
Patient rights and medical confidentiality in Korea
The rights of psychiatric inpatients under Korea's Mental Health Welfare Act, how to request a discharge review, and how medical records are kept confidential.
Medical records, jobs, and insurance in Korea: myths and facts
How much truth there is to worries like "Seeing a psychiatrist will hurt my job prospects" or "I won't be able to get insurance" in Korea.
The information on this page is general guidance and does not replace a medical diagnosis or legal advice. Please consult a professional.