Esther Lyuh's depression is more than medical: Ham Ik-byeong warns of 'self-harm'

Doctor and entrepreneur Esther Lyuh, who previously opened up about her long struggle with depression, has drawn viewers' attention after receiving an unexpected diagnosis from Ham Ik-byeong. Ham caught eyes by addressing Lyuh's fundamental psychological state, stating, "This is not a problem that can be solved with medicine."

A preview for next week was revealed at the end of the SBS variety show 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny' broadcast on the 28th. The footage showed Lyuh and her husband, Hye-Gul Hong, ending their long period of living apart to live together again, as well as their visit to Dr. Ham for counseling.

Previously, Lyuh had endured difficult times due to long-term depression and menopause, leading to a period of living apart from Hong for about five years while commuting between Jeju Island and Seoul. Since then, the couple has begun living together again to restore their relationship, showing signs of gradually regaining a peaceful daily life.

In the preview, Lyuh appeared much brighter and more energetic than before, exercising steadily and cooking for herself.

Watching this, Hong expressed his wish, saying, "I feel relieved that she has improved. I hope we can continue to live harmoniously like this."

However, the initial diagnosis from Ham was unexpected.

Ham spoke firmly to Lyuh, saying, "It is truly serious." When Lyuh explained that she "continues to take psychiatric medication," he diagnosed that "it is a separate issue from that" and "medicine cannot solve everything."

He went on to analyze Lyuh's biggest problem as "aggression directed toward herself."

Ham pointed out, "You are turning all your anger toward yourself," and when Hong asked, "Do you mean self-harm?", Ham replied, "Yes."

He offered advice suggesting that a fundamental change is necessary, noting, "These emotions eventually affect the family as well," raising curiosity about future broadcasts.

Lyuh has candidly disclosed her battle with depression several times.

In an episode of 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2' broadcast last month, she confessed, "While going through menopause, I started getting irritated with my husband for no reason, and our relationship gradually worsened." Hong also shared his regret, saying, "I was also very exhausted during that period. Now, many people even call my wife the 'National Depressed Woman.'"

In particular, Lyuh caused a great shock by revealing that because her symptoms did not improve with medication alone, she underwent Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) under general anesthesia a staggering 28 times.

She previously confessed, "Since medicine was ineffective, I chose the treatment with the mindset that it was my last resort," and "I also experienced side effects where many memories of short encounters disappeared during the treatment process."

Lyuh, a family medicine specialist who graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine, married medical reporter Hong, a colleague from the same medical school, in 1994, and they have two sons. Attention is focused on what changes the couple, who are overcoming long-term illness and marital conflict together, will face through this counseling session.