Stories 'Pre-Married Couples' Must Read Before Wedding (Lee Jin-kyung's Health Tips)

Understanding Premarital Depression, 'Marriage Blue'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-kyung Lee] Spring, known as the season of marriage, has arrived quickly. It is a season of blessings when many newlyweds start a new chapter, but surprisingly, there are quite a few grooms and brides who experience depression before their wedding. People around them may find it hard to understand why they feel depressed when they should be enjoying the excitement of a happy married life. However, the engaged couples themselves can fall into "Marriage Blue," feeling regret about the past and anxiety about the future. As Marriage Blue worsens, more couples are breaking off engagements or reconsidering marriage. Let’s take a closer look at how to wisely overcome this.

● What is Marriage Blue (Premarital Depression)?

Marriage Blue is a term derived from the title of a bestselling novel by Japanese author Yuikawa Kei, referring to the psychological anxiety experienced by men and women before marriage. It is a natural emotional response to the burden, tension, and worries about upcoming changes related to the big event of marriage, and can cause depression regardless of gender.

● Can anyone experience Marriage Blue, and can everyone overcome it?

It is said that Marriage Blue can become more severe when conflicts arise during the marriage preparation process. Many resolve these conflicts through mutual discussion or advice from those around them, but if conflicts remain unresolved and deepen, it can lead to more severe depressive feelings and even serious depression. Depression and depressive feelings develop due to a combination of personal causes and external stress. Especially during rare and challenging moments such as the death of a family member, separation from a spouse, job loss, or marriage preparation, the risk of falling into a crisis is higher. Most people overcome these situations well, but those who have suffered from severe depression in the past may be vulnerable to stress and have a higher risk of relapse, requiring careful observation and attention.

It is important to clearly diagnose whether your current state is simple depressive feelings or actual depression that requires treatment. First, review your symptoms through a simple self-diagnosis, and if you suspect your condition, it is best to visit a specialized hospital for examination and diagnosis.

□ As the wedding day approaches, do you feel anxious and uncertain?

□ Do you experience insomnia or excessive sleep compared to usual?

□ Do you feel lethargic, have negative thoughts, and feel powerless in daily life?

□ Do you feel like you have chronic fatigue?

□ Has your concentration decreased, leading to frequent mistakes at work?

□ Do you feel anxious without reason and have difficulty controlling your emotions?

□ Do you feel unnecessarily hurt or resentful toward your fianc?(e)?

□ Do you fall into self-blame and guilt over trivial matters?

□ Do you avoid going out and dislike meeting people?

□ Have you experienced changes in weight, either loss or gain?

* If you check 5 or more of the above items, you should suspect Marriage Blue (premarital depression).

Short-term Marriage Blue symptoms can be overcome with joint effort by the engaged couple, but if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, they may lead to severe depression, so it is advisable to consult a specialist and seek help.

● How to Overcome Marriage Blue?

▶ Reflect on your own mental state and the causes

If stress exceeds what you can handle, problems may arise even after marriage, so it is important to resolve and overcome it. First, you need to understand your own feelings?whether the depressive feelings are due to conflicts during the marriage preparation process, lack of trust in your fianc?(e), or anxiety caused by specific factors related to the past or future. It is important to examine your mental state and identify the causes of your anxiety.

▶ Warmly accept the person involved and resolve conflicts through communication

In overcoming depressive feelings and treating depression, understanding and warm support from family or friends who can alleviate feelings of isolation are very important. Especially, if the future spouse continuously shows trust and encouragement, it greatly helps to overcome the anxiety and depression before marriage. Also, when the person experiencing Marriage Blue informs those around them, warmly accepting and embracing them can significantly aid in overcoming depressive feelings. When feeling depressed, even a careless word can cause deep wounds, so resolving conflicts through considerate and warm conversations is crucial. If the engaged couple struggles to resolve depressive feelings or conflicts despite efforts, seeking professional help to address psychological issues and learn proper conflict resolution methods can be beneficial.

▶ Provide active support and encouragement if treatment is needed

If symptoms are severe and a psychological examination at a hospital diagnoses depression requiring treatment, it is very important for those around to actively support and encourage the person to receive prompt treatment. Medication, mainly antidepressants, is commonly used in depression treatment. Since depression tends to relapse, it is advisable to maintain treatment for a sufficient period. Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy help correct distorted thinking, aiding in overcoming depressive feelings and emotional recovery.

▷ Share your mental state or difficult and painful situations with family or close friends to receive help and support

▷ Sunlight exposure helps normalize the biological rhythm and aids in overcoming depression, so take outdoor walks

▷ Exercise releases a hormone called endorphins in the brain, which improves mood, so do aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes, three times a week

▷ Eat a balanced diet to supply nutrients that help produce hormones beneficial for overcoming depression

▷ If depression is severe enough to involve suicidal thoughts, visit a psychiatrist and consult a specialist