SINGAPORE, June 29 — For years, Jason managed his depression quietly. Outwardly, he was a high performer at work and in a happy marriage with a supportive husband. Inside, he described carrying an “invisible weight.”
Jason lives with major depressive disorder, or MDD—a condition that manifests as a complex set of five or more symptoms including depressed mood, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, excessive guilt, and low energy. As an adult, he experienced multiple symptoms: depressed mood, loss of interest in things he once enjoyed, fatigue, trouble sleeping, poor concentration, and restlessness.
A digital and brand-strategy specialist, Jason is a natural mentor. “Put me in a situation where people are challenged, and I light up,” he says. “I like decoding the emotional undercurrent and helping people feel at ease.” Yet the man who helps others feel at ease has not always felt that way himself.
At the direction of his psychiatrist, Jason eventually began treatment with antidepressants. Soon, he learned that managing side effects was an important part of his journey.
One of the more difficult side effects was sexual dysfunction, which Jason began noticing after he started taking various treatments his psychiatrist prescribed. For communities across the region, this reality is rarely discussed openly—but it affects many families living with depression.
Working through treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction meant Jason had to have honest conversations with his psychiatrist. It meant understanding that the side effect was part of the treatment process, not a personal failing. For people living with MDD across Asia, this kind of open dialogue with a healthcare professional can make all the difference.
What it means for ordinary people is this: managing depression is rarely a straight line. Side effects like sexual dysfunction can feel isolating, but they are a recognised part of the treatment journey. Jason’s experience shows that working closely with a psychiatrist—and staying the course through difficult side effects—can lead to better outcomes.
Closer to home, many families in the region are navigating similar challenges. The key, as Jason’s story illustrates, is persistence and partnership with a medical professional.
For anyone struggling with depression or treatment side effects, the message is clear: you are not alone, and help is available.
Consult your doctor for medical advice.
