Psychiatrist Dr. Park Jong-seok reported a significant increase in new patients seeking treatment for stock addiction and depression starting last week Thursday, according to his appearance on YTN radio 'Jo Tae-hyun's Vivid Economy' on May 14. The surge coincides with the KOSPI index breaking the 7000 level after multiple circuit breaker activations. Dr. Park, who previously disclosed losing approximately 320 million won in stock investments during 2017-2018, now specializes in counseling for stock addiction at his psychiatric clinic. He attributed the patient influx to extreme market volatility triggering what he termed 'social pain' in investors' brains.
Dr. Park Reports Patient Surge Starting Last Week Thursday
Dr. Park stated on the radio program: "Starting last week Thursday, too many new patients have been coming in with stock-related issues. Many people are visiting to discuss stock addiction, stock losses, and stock depression." He explained that after checking the market himself, he found stocks had fallen significantly. The psychiatrist noted that when the KOSPI index rose more than fourfold before falling back with multiple sell-side circuit breakers breaking the 7000 level, such volatility can cause desire and anxiety to paralyze the brain. Online investment communities have seen an increase in posts from individual investors documenting losses and expressing anxiety and depression.
FOMO Causes Pain Equivalent to 4-Week Physical Injury
Dr. Park identified FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as the primary factor amplifying investor anxiety. He stated: "When someone hears in a group chat that 'someone made 200 million won on SK Hynix,' the brain experiences pain similar to actual physical pain. That shock is the same as being stabbed with a knife or burned by fire, and brain regions associated with pain equivalent to a 4-week injury have been proven to activate." He clarified this is not about jealousy or self-esteem issues but rather "social pain" felt by the brain, which he described as human instinct. Dr. Park warned that comparing others' investment success or wealth excessively with one's own life intensifies FOMO, particularly when investors fall into the urgency of "needing to make big money quickly."
Dr. Park Provides 14-Item Stock Addiction Self-Assessment
During the broadcast, Dr. Park shared a 14-item self-assessment checklist he developed to identify stock addiction symptoms. The items include: being reprimanded at work due to stock trading; fighting with family over stocks; increased excuses and lies after investing; obsession with recovering losses; borrowing money for investment purposes; investing in futures/options or 2x+ leverage products; investing essential funds in stocks; primarily trading short-term or high-risk stocks; using surge-stock search programs; using credit or margin trading; developing insomnia or anxiety after starting investment; repeatedly checking stock screens during work hours; deleting and reinstalling trading apps within a day; and feeling uncomfortable on weekends due to Monday market anxiety. Dr. Park diagnosed that meeting 5 or more of these 14 criteria indicates being at risk for stock addiction. He specifically pointed out: "People who can use leverage should have insight into stocks, study, and be prepared, but whether novice investors were economically and rationally prepared is something that needs reflection."
Psychiatrist Recommends Distancing from Trading Screens
Dr. Park advised that breaking free from stock addiction requires temporarily distancing from investment screens and recovering healthy pleasures in daily life. He stated: "Don't immerse yourself only in material dopamine like 'stocks rose dozens of percent' or 'hit the daily limit,' but find healthy dopamine obtainable from daily life such as exercise or hobbies. Taking distance from stock charts and investment apps and focusing on your main job and daily life is the first step to breaking addiction." He added: "I myself graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and even lectured at Seoul National University, but humans cannot perfectly control their desires. Feeling anxiety is human instinct, but what matters is how you act on that anxiety." Dr. Park emphasized: "Rather than being swayed only by the volatility of Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix, you must first ask yourself, 'Am I a person suitable for investment?' and 'Am I someone who can endure not looking at investment funds for a year?' Studying and growing yourself more than studying stocks is important. Ultimately, the best blue-chip stock is yourself."
FAQ
What did Dr. Park Jong-seok report on May 14 about stock-related patients?
Dr. Park Jong-seok reported on YTN radio on May 14 that starting last week Thursday, there was a significant increase in new patients visiting his psychiatric clinic for issues related to stock addiction, stock losses, and depression. He attributed this surge to the KOSPI index breaking the 7000 level after multiple circuit breaker activations.
How does FOMO affect investors according to Dr. Park's interview?
According to Dr. Park's statements on the radio program, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) causes the brain to experience pain equivalent to a 4-week physical injury when hearing about others' investment successes. He explained that brain regions associated with pain activate at levels comparable to being stabbed or burned, describing this as "social pain" rather than simple jealousy.
What are the criteria for stock addiction risk in Dr. Park's assessment tool?
Dr. Park provided a 14-item self-assessment checklist during the broadcast and stated that meeting 5 or more of these criteria indicates being at risk for stock addiction. The checklist includes items such as work performance issues due to trading, family conflicts, using leverage products, obsession with loss recovery, and anxiety symptoms like insomnia or weekend discomfort about Monday market opening.
