On July 14, MSc. Dr. Trinh Thi Van Anh, Department of Stress, Sexual and Gender-related Disorders - Institute of Mental Health (Bach Mai Hospital) said that the patient named Viet (Caracter's name has been changed - PV), male, 42 years old, an information technology engineer, residing in Bac Ninh, was admitted by his family to the Institute of Mental Health for treatment on May 8, 2025 after a long period of depression and a suggestion to commit suicide. This was the patient's first hospitalization.
According to the patient's wife, Mr. Viet is the second child in a family of four siblings. History of developing a normal motor mentality, studying information technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Having been married for more than 13 years, having three children, the family life is stable and harmonious. However, the patient's biological brother had successfully committed suicide and had not been examined by a psychiatric specialist.
For about a year now, the patient has had prolonged sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, poor appetite, lost 3kg in weight within 4 months, lost interest in married life, felt worthless and had thought about self-dismantling. Before being hospitalized, Mr. Viet was examined at the psychiatric clinic of Bach Mai Hospital and diagnosed with moderate depression with symptoms on his body.
MSc. Dr. Trinh Thi Van Anh added that despite being treated with Paroxetine and Olanzapine, the patient still maintained a state of acute gas, was sedentary, had low sex improvement, and continued to have suicide ideas. The family was advised by doctors to take the patient to the hospital for inpatient treatment.
Initial examination showed that the patient was alert, contacted, had no disorder in space-time orientation - himself, had no hallucinations or false perceptions. Slow thinking, bored emotions, pessimism, negativity, thoughts with suicide ideas.
Mr. Viet's case is a warning bell about prolonged silent depression that can lead to serious consequences if not detected and treated promptly. Family, community and patients need to pay more attention to mental health to protect their quality of life and personal safety.
