Psychiatrists in HCMC are receiving their highest ever number of business people suffering from psychological stress due to the economic downturn.
Mrs.H. being examined by a doctor
Le Hieu, a doctor at Cho Quan Mental Hospital said he had received about 40 cases daily, eight of them related to money or businesses.
Many of his patients were suffering from mental disorder that could lead to suicide.
H, a 52 year old patient suffered huge losses because her detergent business had slowed down. H owed her suppliers and employees three months wages.
"I didn’t sleep much this month. I somehow have to find VND20 billion (USD960,000) to pay the debts. I have put up houses and land as collateral and I’ve lost VND300 million a month for the past six months." She said. "Sometimes I dream they come and demand repayment. I lost 5kg this month and my family told me to see a psychiatrist."
Nguyen Duc T. a 45 year-old local in HCMC failed in a suicide attempt. He couldn't find a job and owes VND200 million. T. tried to find release by committing suicide but was found by his family in time.
However, only small business people are going to hospital for psychiatric help, people with big money have chosen private clinics for fear of scandal.
Such is the case with M, an owner of a big furniture company that has branches in HCMC, Dong Nai, Da Lat, Nha Trang and Danang.
But M. had to seek a psychiatrist.
"I'm worried and my hair turned white in just few months. In two years, I lost VND1 billion a month. The bank reassessed my properties and cut half of the loan so I had to borrow from friends." M. said. "Just one wrong step and everything will go down, and my children are still studying in the US."
M's husband also worried about his wife who can't eat, stares at wall at night and is incapable of doing business.
Doctor said M. is suffering from anxiety disorder and needs attention from her family or she might commit suicide.
"We have a lot of patients who are business people, including those earning a living from criminal activities." Hieu said.