Actress Lee Sang-in's Wife Shows Signs of Depression on 'My Precious Child'
On the March 14 episode of Channel A's 'My Precious Child' (요즘 육아 - 금쪽같은 내 새끼), the struggles of actress Lee Sang-in's wife, who is raising three sons, were highlighted. During the show, Dr. Oh Eun-young observed the behavior of their eldest son, Geumjok, and decided to pause the recording to meet with the family directly. After assessing Geumjok, Dr. Oh expressed concerns about communication difficulties, suggesting he may be on the autism spectrum. This diagnosis brought tears to Lee Sang-in's wife, who had previously denied such concerns.
However, the couple faces another significant challenge: the mother's depression. Lee Sang-in's wife appeared visibly exhausted from caring for their three children alone. Dr. Oh noted that her emotional and physical energy was depleted, stating, "It's as if the container is about to develop holes from being scraped clean."
Dr. Oh further explained the implications of the mother's depression on the children, warning that it could lead to difficulties in discipline and emotional responses. "When a mother is depressed, children become sensitive to her mood, and studies show that about 40% of children with depressed parents also experience feelings of sadness themselves," she said.
Throughout the episode, Lee Sang-in's wife expressed her overwhelming feelings, saying, "There were times when the reality of waking up to the same day felt suffocating. I came to Miryang believing in you, but I often wonder, 'What did I do wrong? Why am I here?' I sometimes just want to run away. If there were a resignation letter for housewives, I would want to submit it."
Dr. Oh encouraged her to seek professional help, asking if she had ever visited a hospital for her mental health. The wife admitted, "I wanted to go about two years ago, but I felt ashamed. In a small town, just going to the hospital felt embarrassing, and I didn't like myself."
She shared that she had recently visited a doctor who prescribed medication due to her deteriorating condition. However, she stopped taking the medication after three days, feeling it made her too lethargic to care for her children. "I thought, 'This is my problem; I just need to get it together,'" she explained.
Dr. Oh reassured her that struggling with such extreme parenting challenges does not reflect a lack of love for her children or personal weakness. She emphasized the importance of maintaining mental health, stating, "Taking medication won't solve everything, but it can help stabilize your mental health so you can cope better. Remember, being a mother doesn't mean you have to endure everything alone. It's crucial to take care of yourself too."
