Discussing mental health topics like Acute Stress Disorder requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides the essential Korean term for Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and related expressions for describing symptoms, experiences, and seeking professional help in Korea. Understanding these phrases is crucial for navigating healthcare conversations or supporting someone experiencing distress.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 급성 스트레스 장애
Pronunciation: geup-seong seu-teu-re-seu jang-ae
Meaning: Acute Stress Disorder (This is the direct medical term.)
Related Symptoms
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Expression: 불안
Pronunciation: bul-an
Meaning: Anxiety -
Expression: 악몽
Pronunciation: ak-mong
Meaning: Nightmare -
Expression: 플래시백 / 재경험
Pronunciation: peul-lae-si-baek / jae-gyeong-heom
Meaning: Flashback / Re-experiencing (the traumatic event) -
Expression: 회피
Pronunciation: hoe-pi
Meaning: Avoidance (of triggers related to the trauma) -
Expression: 과각성
Pronunciation: gwa-gak-seong
Meaning: Hypervigilance / Hyperarousal -
Expression: 집중력 저하
Pronunciation: jip-jung-ryeok jeo-ha
Meaning: Difficulty concentrating -
Expression: 수면 장애 / 불면증
Pronunciation: su-myeon jang-ae / bul-myeon-jeung
Meaning: Sleep disturbance / Insomnia -
Expression: 짜증 / 과민함
Pronunciation: jja-jeung / gwa-min-ham
Meaning: Irritability -
Expression: 감정 마비 / 둔마
Pronunciation: gam-jeong ma-bi / dun-ma
Meaning: Emotional numbing -
Expression: 공황 발작
Pronunciation: gong-hwang bal-jak
Meaning: Panic attack -
Expression: 가슴 두근거림
Pronunciation: ga-seum du-geun-geo-rim
Meaning: Heart palpitations -
Expression: 식욕 부진
Pronunciation: sik-yok bu-jin
Meaning: Loss of appetite
Describing Experiences
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Expression: 요즘 잠을 잘 못 자요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t been sleeping well lately. -
Expression: 자꾸 악몽을 꿔요.
Pronunciation: ja-kku ak-mong-eul kkwo-yo.
Meaning: I keep having nightmares. -
Expression: 그 일이 자꾸 떠올라요.
Pronunciation: geu il-i ja-kku tteo-ol-la-yo.
Meaning: That event keeps coming back to my mind. -
Expression: 그 장소에 가기가 두려워요.
Pronunciation: geu jang-so-e ga-gi-ga du-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I’m afraid to go to that place. -
Expression: 작은 소리에도 깜짝 놀라요.
Pronunciation: jak-eun so-ri-e-do kkam-jjak nol-la-yo.
Meaning: I get startled easily even by small sounds. -
Expression: 집중하기가 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: jip-jung-ha-gi-ga him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s hard to concentrate. -
Expression: 계속 불안한 느낌이 들어요.
Pronunciation: gye-sok bul-an-han neu-kkim-i deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: I constantly feel anxious. -
Expression: 갑자기 숨쉬기가 어려워져요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi sum-swi-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: Suddenly it becomes difficult to breathe. -
Expression: 예전 같지 않아요.
Pronunciation: ye-jeon gat-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: I don’t feel like my usual self. -
Expression: 감정 조절이 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: gam-jeong jo-jeol-i jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I can’t control my emotions well. -
Expression: 아무것도 하고 싶지 않아요.
Pronunciation: a-mu-geot-do ha-go sip-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: I don’t feel like doing anything. -
Expression: 충격적인 일을 겪었어요.
Pronunciation: chung-gyeok-jeok-in il-eul gyeokk-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I experienced a traumatic event.
Seeking Professional Help
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Expression: 정신과 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-sin-gwa sang-dam-eul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to receive psychiatric counseling. -
Expression: 병원에 가봐야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-bwa-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I should go to the hospital/clinic. -
Expression: 어떤 병원에 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon byeong-won-e ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Which hospital/clinic should I go to? -
Expression: 심리 상담 센터를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sim-ri sang-dam sen-teo-reul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a psychological counseling center. -
Expression: 의사 선생님과 이야기하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-gwa i-ya-gi-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to talk to a doctor. -
Expression: 제 증상에 대해 설명하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: je jeung-sang-e dae-hae seol-myeong-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to explain my symptoms. -
Expression: 치료 방법이 있나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo bang-beop-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there treatment methods? -
Expression: 약물 치료가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: yak-mul chi-ryo-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is medication necessary? -
Expression: 상담 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sang-dam ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make a counseling appointment. -
Expression: 보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by insurance? -
Expression: 진단서를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-reul bad-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a medical certificate/diagnosis report? -
Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need help.
Cultural Notes on Mental Health
Discussing mental health, including conditions like Acute Stress Disorder, is becoming more open in Korea, but some stigma may still exist compared to physical ailments. Using the term 정신과 (jeong-sin-gwa – psychiatry) is common, but some prefer 정신건강의학과 (jeong-sin-geon-gang-ui-hak-gwa – department of mental health medicine) as it sounds less clinical.
Seeking help from professionals like psychiatrists (정신과 의사 – jeong-sin-gwa ui-sa) or counselors (상담사 – sang-dam-sa) is increasingly accepted, especially among younger generations. However, some individuals might initially hesitate due to concerns about social perception or family reactions.
When discussing symptoms, being specific but calm is generally advisable. While emotional expression is natural, clearly articulating experiences like flashbacks (플래시백 – peul-lae-si-baek) or hypervigilance (과각성 – gwa-gak-seong) helps professionals understand the situation better.
Support systems are important. While professional help is key, talking to trusted friends or family can be beneficial, although cultural norms might influence how openly individuals share personal struggles. Using phrases like 힘들어요 (him-deul-eo-yo – It’s hard/difficult) can be a gentle way to open up.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun (A) is talking to a doctor (B) at a clinic about recent difficulties after witnessing an accident.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 의사 선생님. 요즘 너무 힘들어서 왔어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ui-sa seon-saeng-nim. yo-jeum neo-mu him-deul-eo-seo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, doctor. I came because I’ve been having a really hard time lately. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 점이 힘드신가요? 자세히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon jeom-i him-deu-sin-ga-yo? ja-se-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. What difficulties are you experiencing? Could you tell me in detail? -
Expression: A: 얼마 전에 사고 현장을 목격했는데, 그 이후로 잠도 잘 못 자고 자꾸 악몽을 꿔요.
Pronunciation: A: eol-ma jeon-e sa-go hyeon-jang-eul mok-gyeok-haess-neun-de, geu i-hu-ro jam-do jal mot ja-go ja-kku ak-mong-eul kkwo-yo.
Meaning: A: I witnessed an accident scene a while ago, and since then, I haven’t been sleeping well and keep having nightmares. -
Expression: B: 그러시군요. 혹시 그 장면이 갑자기 떠오르거나 (플래시백), 작은 소리에도 심하게 놀라시는 증상 (과각성) 도 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: geu-reo-si-gun-yo. hok-si geu jang-myeon-i gap-ja-gi tteo-o-reu-geo-na (peul-lae-si-baek), jak-eun so-ri-e-do sim-ha-ge nol-la-si-neun jeung-sang (gwa-gak-seong) do iss-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: I see. Do you also experience symptoms like the scene suddenly coming back to you (flashback), or being severely startled by small sounds (hypervigilance)? -
Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 길을 걷다가도 갑자기 가슴이 두근거리고 불안해져요. 집중도 잘 안 되고요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, maj-a-yo. gil-eul geot-da-ga-do gap-ja-gi ga-seum-i du-geun-geo-ri-go bul-an-hae-jyeo-yo. jip-jung-do jal an doe-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, that’s right. Even when walking on the street, my heart suddenly pounds and I feel anxious. I can’t concentrate well either. -
Expression: B: 충격적인 경험 후에 나타날 수 있는 급성 스트레스 장애 증상일 수 있습니다. 몇 가지 검사와 상담을 통해 정확히 진단하고 도와드릴 수 있을 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: B: chung-gyeok-jeok-in gyeong-heom hu-e na-ta-nal su iss-neun geup-seong seu-teu-re-seu jang-ae jeung-sang-il su iss-seum-ni-da. myeot ga-ji geom-sa-wa sang-dam-eul tong-hae jeong-hwak-hi jin-dan-ha-go do-wa-deu-ril su iss-eul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: These could be symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder, which can appear after a traumatic experience. We can accurately diagnose and help you through some tests and counseling.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms is the first step! Try saying the core term 급성 스트레스 장애 (geup-seong seu-teu-re-seu jang-ae) and related symptoms aloud~ Pay close attention to the pronunciation, breaking it down syllable by syllable.
Practice describing hypothetical situations using the phrases for experiences and seeking help. Imagine explaining symptoms to a friend or doctor. Role-playing can be very effective!
Remember, discussing mental health is important. Knowing the right vocabulary empowers you to communicate effectively and seek or offer support when needed. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to review these expressions often!
