Written Interview Report with Chinese Psychiatrist
The Chinese psychiatrist who accepted the interview does not want to reveal his/her name. However, he/she has been studying and working in the area of psychology for many years and has credibility to his/her own words.
(P.S. the following interview was conducted in Chinese. The original conversation is copied below and the translated version is presented as well.)
Q: Can you tell me your experience as a psychiatrist working with mental illness patients?
A: I've worked with numerous mental illness patients, such as people with depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, etc. Also, I think people nowadays would like to focus more on their mental health, which is a good sign.
我接触过很多病人，像抑郁症、焦虑症、双相情感障碍等等。在我看来现在大家会更关注自己的心理健康了，对大家和整个社会的整体健康都有好处。
Q: Do you think there is discrimination toward mental illness people in China?
A: Yes. I think there is a significant level of discrimination toward mental illness people in China. Like if you see someone on the street hitting another person, you may think it is pretty weird. However, if you are told that the person who is hitting has mental health issues, then you may think it is quite normal.
我认为在中国大家对心理问题的偏见还是蛮严重的，就像如果你在大街上看到一个人打人，你可能会觉得很奇怪。但如果你被告知这个人有精神问题，那你就会觉得这是一件很正常的事了。
Q: What are some suggestions you had given to your patients regarding those discrimination?
A: I've told my visitors not to easily disclose their mental illnesses, such as depression or bipolar disorder, to others. This is because, in today's society, a significant portion of people still cannot understand the pain caused by mental illnesses and continue to harbor prejudices against them.
我曾告诉我的来访者们不要轻易把自己患抑郁症、双相情感障碍等精神疾病轻易告知他人。因为在当今社会还是有很大一部分人不可以理解精神疾病带来的痛苦，他们还是会对精神疾病抱有偏见。
Q: What are some suggestions you can give to your patients that could benefit their mental health?
A: Firstly, it's important not to be prejudiced against yourself or blame yourself too much. Feeling depressed and stressed is normal for everyone. Some everyday activities that can help improve your mood include getting sunlight, taking vitamin D supplements, and getting as much exercise as possible. If your depression lasts for two weeks or more, please seek medical attention or reach out to others for help in a timely manner.
首先就是不要对自己持有偏见或过多地责备自己，抑郁情绪和压力在每个人身上都是很正常的。一些日常可以帮助情绪变好的方法有晒太阳、补充维生素D、以及尽量做一些运动。如果抑郁状态持续时间达两周及以上，请及时就医或向他人寻求帮助。