心理教室

Understanding Depression

In recent years, both in Hong Kong and around the world, economic conditions have declined. It is not uncommon to hear of friends who have suffered losses in investments or business, sometimes losing over 30% of their savings or even having to close long-established businesses.

When people experience repeated losses but are unable or unwilling to express their feelings, a deep, indescribable sadness and heaviness can build up inside. At first, this may lead to insomnia, with constant thoughts such as “Why? Why? Why…”. Appetite may be lost, motivation fades, and within a short period—sometimes less than a month—a person may feel completely changed. They may lose hope, feel no sense of joy, lose confidence in themselves, and in severe cases, even consider suicide. This is a common progression of depression.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce depression. In fact, it is a condition that can be treated effectively. With psychological counselling or medication, symptoms can often be stabilised within a month, and many people recover within around six months. However, it can also be a serious condition. If left untreated, chemical imbalances in the brain may worsen, leading to feelings of hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts. Early treatment is therefore very important.

 

Case Study

Miss Chan, aged 27, works as a secretary in a large company. She was delighted to secure this position, and her friends admired her. She had a good relationship with her supervisor and colleagues, and despite being new, she quickly settled into the role.

However, three months later, a new supervisor replaced her original one—and her difficulties began. Initially, she carried on as usual, but she soon found that her new supervisor was extremely demanding and often overly critical. Even minor mistakes led to harsh scolding, and sometimes personal attacks. She was frequently called “stupid”, “brainless”, and other insulting names. Even when mistakes were not her fault, or were simply misunderstandings, her supervisor would still blame her. She felt wronged and upset but did not dare to argue back, which made her feel increasingly helpless.

After several weeks of enduring this unreasonable treatment, Miss Chan found it unbearable. She wanted to change jobs or transfer departments, but no opportunities were available. Given the poor economic climate, she was afraid to take risks or lose her job. She became increasingly reluctant to go to work, forcing herself out of bed each morning. On her way to work, she would repeatedly recall her supervisor’s insults, and her mood would sink further.

“Am I really that useless? That stupid?” she often asked herself.

At times, she worked even harder in the hope of gaining approval, but the result was still criticism. She began to feel hopeless and wanted to give up.

For Miss Chan, going to work felt like going to an execution ground. At weekends, she felt temporarily relieved, but also completely exhausted. She would often spend most of her time in bed. The thought of returning to work on Monday filled her with dread. Almost every night, she would cry.

As her mood worsened, her work performance declined. Her supervisor became even more dissatisfied and issued a formal warning letter, listing all her perceived faults. Miss Chan felt devastated and hopeless, believing her record was now damaged and that finding another job would be difficult. She felt trapped, and at times even considered suicide.

Her family and friends noticed that something was wrong and encouraged her to seek help. Eventually, she found the courage to undergo professional psychological counselling.

After twelve sessions of counselling, Miss Chan felt transformed. She realised she had been stuck in a negative cycle of overthinking, which caused her great distress. She now understood that she had depression, and that it could be treated through medication and counselling. Although she occasionally still felt low, she had learned how to manage her emotions, maintain her boundaries, and avoid being easily hurt by others’ words.

 

Statistics

Research suggests that around 8% of people in Hong Kong experience symptoms of depression. This equates to approximately 540,000 individuals facing similar struggles to Miss Chan. Many keep their problems to themselves, feeling helpless and hopeless. Some even attempt to resolve their difficulties through suicide.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of depression may include:

• Feeling low, sad, or empty most of the time
• Reduced enjoyment in life and loss of interest in activities
• Significant changes in appetite or weight
• Persistent insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Reduced activity levels, slowed movements, or agitation
• Physical and mental fatigue
• Frequent feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Reduced concentration, decision-making, and cognitive ability
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Self-Help Tips

If you recognise several of the symptoms above, you may be experiencing depression. The following suggestions may help prevent or reduce symptoms:

• When facing dissatisfaction or unfair treatment, try not to endure it silently. Express your views calmly and objectively where possible.
• Talk to others about your feelings rather than bottling them up. Do not carry everything alone.
• Avoid excessive sleep; sleeping more than 10 hours a day may increase fatigue.
• Consider taking appropriate levels of Vitamin B (B1, B6, B12), which may support metabolism and brain function—always follow medical advice.
• Engage in regular exercise and positive activities, such as walking, reading, or listening to relaxing music.

If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you should seek professional psychological support.

 

Expert Advice

Professional psychological counselling can effectively treat depression. Research indicates that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can significantly relieve symptoms within 4 to 8 sessions. More severe cases may require treatment for up to six months.

Depression can be overcome—seek professional help as early as possible.

 

Information provided by Hong Kong Psychological Counselling Centre
The Hong Kong Psychological Counselling Centre is a private organisation offering comprehensive counselling services. It has over ten therapists with different areas of expertise, providing in-person counselling for individuals and families. Appointments can usually be arranged within seven days, and all information is kept strictly confidential.
Tel：6676 4236	Website：www.hkpcc.hk