Understanding Adjustment Disorder in Korean

Discussing mental health requires sensitivity and the right vocabulary, especially in a different language. This guide focuses on how to talk about 적응장애 (Adjustment Disorder) in Korean, covering essential terms, phrases for describing symptoms, seeking help, and cultural context surrounding mental well-being in Korea.

Core Term

• Expression: 적응장애
  Pronunciation: jeok-eung-jang-ae
  Meaning: Adjustment Disorder (Literally: adaptation disorder)

Related Vocabulary

• Expression: 스트레스
  Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu
  Meaning: Stress
• Expression: 정신 건강
  Pronunciation: jeong-sin geon-gang
  Meaning: Mental health
• Expression: 불안
  Pronunciation: bul-an
  Meaning: Anxiety
• Expression: 우울
  Pronunciation: u-ul
  Meaning: Depression
• Expression: 상담
  Pronunciation: sang-dam
  Meaning: Counseling, consultation
• Expression: 치료
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo
  Meaning: Treatment, therapy
• Expression: 정신과 의사
  Pronunciation: jeong-sin-gwa ui-sa
  Meaning: Psychiatrist
• Expression: 심리 상담사
  Pronunciation: sim-ni sang-dam-sa
  Meaning: Psychologist, counselor
• Expression: 감정
  Pronunciation: gam-jeong
  Meaning: Emotion, feeling
• Expression: 힘듦
  Pronunciation: him-deum
  Meaning: Hardship, difficulty
• Expression: 극복하다
  Pronunciation: geuk-bok-ha-da
  Meaning: To overcome
• Expression: 지원
  Pronunciation: ji-won
  Meaning: Support

Describing Symptoms

• Expression: 요즘 스트레스를 많이 받아요.
  Pronunciation: yo-jeum seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni ba-da-yo.
  Meaning: I’ve been under a lot of stress lately.
• Expression: 기분이 계속 우울해요.
  Pronunciation: gi-bun-i gye-sok u-ul-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I feel depressed continuously.
• Expression: 자주 불안감을 느껴요.
  Pronunciation: ja-ju bul-an-gam-eul neu-kkyeo-yo.
  Meaning: I often feel anxious.
• Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요.
  Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
  Meaning: I can’t sleep well.
• Expression: 집중하기가 어려워요.
  Pronunciation: jip-jung-ha-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s hard to concentrate.
• Expression: 모든 게 힘들게 느껴져요.
  Pronunciation: mo-deun ge him-deul-ge neu-kkyeo-jyeo-yo.
  Meaning: Everything feels difficult.
• Expression: 쉽게 짜증이 나요.
  Pronunciation: swip-ge jja-jeung-i na-yo.
  Meaning: I get irritated easily.
• Expression: 의욕이 없어요.
  Pronunciation: ui-yok-i eop-seo-yo.
  Meaning: I have no motivation.
• Expression: 사회생활이 힘들어요.
  Pronunciation: sa-hoe-saeng-hwal-i him-deul-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Social life is difficult.
• Expression: 가슴이 답답해요.
  Pronunciation: ga-seum-i dap-dap-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I feel tightness in my chest (often used to express frustration or feeling stifled).
• Expression: 눈물이 자주 나요.
  Pronunciation: nun-mul-i ja-ju na-yo.
  Meaning: I cry often / I tear up frequently.
• Expression: 미래가 걱정돼요.
  Pronunciation: mi-rae-ga geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
  Meaning: I’m worried about the future.

Seeking Help and Support

• Expression: 상담을 받아보고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: sang-dam-eul ba-da-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to try getting counseling.
• Expression: 정신과 진료를 예약하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: jeong-sin-gwa jil-lyo-reul ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to book an appointment with a psychiatrist.
• Expression: 어디서 도움을 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: eo-di-seo do-um-eul ba-deul su it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I get help?
• Expression: 제 상태에 대해 이야기하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: je sang-tae-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to talk about my condition.
• Expression: 혹시 좋은 상담사 아세요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si jo-eun sang-dam-sa a-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you happen to know a good counselor?
• Expression: 치료가 필요할 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo-ga pil-yo-hal geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: I think I might need treatment.
• Expression: 요즘 너무 힘들어서 도움이 필요해요.
  Pronunciation: yo-jeum neo-mu him-deul-eo-seo do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s been so hard lately, I need help.
• Expression: 누군가와 이야기하면 좀 나아질까요?
  Pronunciation: nu-gun-ga-wa i-ya-gi-ha-myeon jom na-a-jil-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Will talking to someone help me feel a bit better?
• Expression: 이런 감정을 어떻게 다뤄야 할지 모르겠어요.
  Pronunciation: i-reon gam-jeong-eul eo-tteo-ke da-rwo-ya hal-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I don’t know how to handle these feelings.
• Expression: 가족에게 말하기가 어려워요.
  Pronunciation: ga-jok-e-ge mal-ha-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s difficult to tell my family.
• Expression: 저를 이해해 줄 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jeo-reul i-hae-hae jul su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can you understand me?
• Expression: 정신 건강 지원 센터가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jeong-sin geon-gang ji-won sen-teo-ga in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a mental health support center?

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding cultural nuances is crucial when discussing mental health in Korea. While awareness is growing, there can still be some stigma associated with mental health issues. Many people might hesitate to openly discuss their struggles or seek professional help due to concerns about social perception.

Instead of directly stating severe symptoms, people might use more indirect expressions like “힘들다” (him-deul-da – it’s hard/difficult) or “마음이 복잡하다” (ma-eum-i bok-jap-ha-da – my mind/heart is complicated). Showing empathy and offering support without judgment is highly valued.

Family and close friends often play a significant role in providing support, though professional help seeking is becoming more common, especially among younger generations. Terms like “힐링” (hil-ling – healing) are popular, referring to activities that relieve stress and promote well-being, often seen as a softer approach to mental self-care.

Workplace stress (직장 스트레스 – jik-jang seu-teu-re-seu) and academic pressure are common stressors discussed more openly. Adjustment difficulties, especially when moving to a new environment (like studying abroad or starting a new job), are recognized challenges.

When offering support, phrases like “힘내세요” (him-nae-se-yo – Cheer up / Stay strong) are common, but sometimes listening actively and validating someone’s feelings with phrases like “많이 힘들었겠네요” (ma-ni him-deul-eot-gen-ne-yo – That must have been very difficult for you) can be more comforting.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Friend A notices Friend B seems down and stressed after starting a new job in a different city.

Roles:

• A: Concerned Friend
• B: Friend experiencing adjustment difficulties

• Expression: A: 요즘 얼굴이 안 좋아 보여. 무슨 일 있어?
  Pronunciation: yo-jeum eol-gul-i an jo-a bo-yeo. mu-seun il i-sseo?
  Meaning: You don’t look well these days. Is something wrong?
• Expression: B: 응, 사실 새로운 환경에 적응하는 게 좀 힘드네. 스트레스도 많이 받고.
  Pronunciation: eung, sa-sil sae-ro-un hwan-gyeong-e jeok-eung-ha-neun ge jom him-deu-ne. seu-teu-re-seu-do ma-ni bat-go.
  Meaning: Yeah, actually, adjusting to the new environment is a bit hard. I’m under a lot of stress too.
• Expression: A: 그렇구나. 잠은 잘 자고? 밥은 잘 챙겨 먹고?
  Pronunciation: geu-reo-ku-na. jam-eun jal ja-go? bap-eun jal chaeng-gyeo meok-go?
  Meaning: I see. Are you sleeping well? Are you eating properly?
• Expression: B: 아니, 잠도 잘 못 자고 입맛도 별로 없어. 가끔 너무 불안하고 우울한 기분이 들어.
  Pronunciation: a-ni, jam-do jal mot ja-go im-mat-do byeol-lo eop-seo. ga-kkeum neo-mu bul-an-ha-go u-ul-han gi-bun-i deul-eo.
  Meaning: No, I can’t sleep well and don’t have much of an appetite either. Sometimes I feel really anxious and depressed.
• Expression: A: 많이 힘들겠다. 혹시 전문가랑 상담해 보는 건 어때? 적응장애 같은 걸 수도 있잖아.
  Pronunciation: ma-ni him-deul-get-da. hok-si jeon-mun-ga-rang sang-dam-hae bo-neun geon eo-ttae? jeok-eung-jang-ae ga-teun geol su-do it-jan-a.
  Meaning: That must be really tough. How about talking to a professional? It could be something like adjustment disorder.
• Expression: B: 나도 그 생각 해봤어. 어디서 상담을 받아야 할지 잘 모르겠네.
  Pronunciation: na-do geu saeng-gak hae-bwa-sseo. eo-di-seo sang-dam-eul ba-da-ya hal-ji jal mo-reu-gen-ne.
  Meaning: I’ve thought about that too. I’m just not sure where to get counseling.
• Expression: A: 내가 좀 알아봐 줄까? 혼자 힘들어하지 마. 이야기 들어줄 테니 언제든 말하고.
  Pronunciation: nae-ga jom a-ra-bwa jul-kka? hon-ja him-deul-eo-ha-ji ma. i-ya-gi deul-eo-jul te-ni eon-je-deun mal-ha-go.
  Meaning: Should I look into it for you? Don’t struggle alone. I’ll listen, so talk to me anytime.
• Expression: B: 정말? 고마워. 그렇게 말해주니 좀 힘이 난다.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal? go-ma-wo. geu-reo-ke mal-hae-ju-ni jom him-i nan-da.
  Meaning: Really? Thank you. Hearing you say that gives me some strength.

Practice Tips

Talking about mental health can be challenging, but knowing the right words is the first step! Try practicing these phrases by yourself or with a language partner~. Pay attention to the nuances in meaning and the cultural context we discussed. Remember, using terms like 적응장애 might require sensitivity, so start by expressing feelings like stress (스트레스) or difficulty (힘듦).

Listen to how native speakers discuss these topics in dramas or interviews to get a better feel for natural conversation flow. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or clarification. Taking care of your mental well-being is important, and being able to communicate about it in Korean is a valuable skill. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing these topics! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)