‘Got to help more patients’: nurse with severe depression from working 7 years at mental hospital in China still insists on serving
2023.04.29 18:00A male nurse in China diagnosed with severe depression after working for seven years in a local mental hospital has gained attention on mainland social media for insisting he returns to work after being treated.The man in his early 30s, surnamed Shang, is from Sichuan province in southwestern China and battling clinical depression while working as a nurse at the hospital, Pear Video reported.In a video posted with the story, Shang is seen dropping his head onto a desk at the hospital after learning the diagnosis that his depression is serious.Interacting with depressed patients has been a daily routine for Shang, who said that every patient has endured a life of suffering.However, he wasn’t aware his mental health was being affected by the patients until one year ago. Shang began to notice his mental outlook was different. However, he still paid little attention, and as time passed, he felt worse.A key factor was staying up late due to his work often requiring night shi
A male nurse in China diagnosed with severe depression after working for seven years in a local mental hospital has gained attention on mainland social media for insisting he returns to work after being treated.
The man in his early 30s, surnamed Shang, is from Sichuan province in southwestern China and battling clinical depression while working as a nurse at the hospital, Pear Video reported.
In a video posted with the story, Shang is seen dropping his head onto a desk at the hospital after learning the diagnosis that his depression is serious.
Interacting with depressed patients has been a daily routine for Shang, who said that every patient has endured a life of suffering.
However, he wasn’t aware his mental health was being affected by the patients until one year ago. Shang began to notice his mental outlook was different. However, he still paid little attention, and as time passed, he felt worse.
A key factor was staying up late due to his work often requiring night shifts, and he suffered from neurasthenia, a medical condition characterised by fatigue, headache and irritability.
“It lasted about a year. It was very exhausting, and I couldn’t cheer myself up every day,” Shang said.
At the same time, Shang developed symptoms such as waking up at night and struggling to breathe and sudden bouts of crying.
His professional expertise told him something was wrong with his mental health.
After he had been diagnosed with severe depression, he started treatment immediately. Despite undergoing therapy, Shang did not stop working and said his health had improved.
“I think I will continue my job. Except for this job, I also don’t know what else I can do,” he said.
Shang also believes that his depression has made him even more empathetic towards mental patients.
“Although I have depression, I don’t feel I should leave this hospital. On the contrary, I think they need me. I’ve got to help more patients.”
The story of Shang has touched many on mainland social media.
One person said: “He is a kind man, that’s why he can feel the pain in others.”
Another person added: “How compassionate he is!”
The People’s Daily released a report in 2022 with data showing 95 million people are suffering from depression in China. The main causes listed are emotional stress, parent-child relationships and unexpected emergencies like accidents and health issues.
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