It has also been well documented that memories created before puberty subconsciously affect how a person thinks in their conscious mind. Dr. Yang Yongjoon (‘93, Psychology) is a prominent doctor in South Korea who studies the mental health behind nostalgia and other diseases, making him one of the leading doctors and psychiatrists for overcoming mental illness.

Dr. Yang attended Korea University (KU) as a psychology major and graduated from the prestigious Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine. He is currently an adjunct professor at the Catholic University Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and is known for publishing a famous research paper on the effects of somatization, depression, and anxiety on men’s urinary system. Besides his investigative and laboratory work, Dr. Yang is also the director and principal doctor of a prominent psychiatry clinic in Yongsan-gu and owns a well-known YouTube channel named kukeudagseu. With his partner Dr. Yu Seung-Taek, they inform viewers about various mental health issues, including depression, bipolar disorder, social relationships, food, and most importantly – nostalgia.

To get a deep dive into Dr. Yang Yongjoon (’93, Psychology)’s research, work, and the power of nostalgia, The Granite Tower (GT) interviewed Dr. Yang.

GT: How has Korea University shaped and influenced your career as a medical doctor? 

Dr. Yang: When I was in high school, I liked to listen to my friends without talking and thought I was good at it, so went to study psychology at KU because I wanted to be a psychologist. There, I was able to learn about various fields of psychology that I had not known before. Furthermore, I had many emotional exchanges and great social relationships, which made me think about my career further. But the most important thing about this period is that I met my best friend at a university club, who co-leads the clinic we own.

One thing I mainly noticed is how psychologists cannot diagnose or give drug treatments, so I decided to pursue a career as a psychiatrist. Students who are looking to pursue a similar dream should do what they want to their heart’s content during college. If you found your dream, I applaud you. Psychiatry has a high satisfaction rate of 80 to 90 percent, and I think it's a blessed job where I can help people with difficulties and feel professional rewards by doing my job.

GT: What are some prominent treatment and therapy programs that you offer for individuals who are having trouble concentrating on daily life activities due to dwelling on the past and future?

Dr. Yang: There are seven main treatment and examination methods that are provided at my clinic: (1) Quantitative electrical encephalography (QEEG), (2) a stress test (autonomic nervous system testing - ANS), (3) a concentration test, (4) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment, (5) a comprehensive psychological test, (6) counseling treatment, and (7) psychoanalytic therapy, which are used in different situations.

QEEG shows the different activities of the areas of the brain, which can identify psychiatric symptoms and help provide inhibitory treatment for that specific area. ANS looks at the heart variations that correlate with stress. The concentration test identifies attention span patterns. TMS is a non-invasive treatment that treats depression and anxiety disorders with a magnetic field by stimulating nerve cells in the brain without surgery or anesthesia. The comprehensive psychological test measures different aspects from cognitive intelligence to social aspects. Counseling provides therapy and overall development programs. And lastly, psychoanalysis treats phobias, mental pain, and anxiety by looking at the unconscious mind.

GT: What roles do depression and anxiety play in nostalgia?

Dr. Yang: The father of medicine, Hippocrates, considered nostalgia as part of depression. In other times, such as in 17th century Europe, it was linked to mental disorders, while modern people can experience emotional difficulties related to nostalgia. By continuing to reflect on the past and judging oneself as worthless, you fall into depression and become anxious by thinking negatively about the future. The level of it can be associated with symptoms such as separation, depression and anesthesia, involuntary life changes due to trauma, conflict and anxiety, social alienation, and loneliness. Moreover, a common type of nostalgia known as homesickness is not recognized as a disease. It is a cultural phenomenon experienced all around the globe. But nostalgia can be positive as well. Connecting images from the past can be hopeful for the future. It strengthens our emotional recovery by linking people and environments to look more insightfully into the present.

GT: Many people seem to fear going to the psychiatrist. What is a piece of advice you could give to those kinds of people?

Dr. Yang: I would like to share answers to questions that college students have asked me before about visiting the psychiatrist, which explain why you should not be scared. First, psychiatric records are not kept or shared. They are strictly protected as personal information. Second, there are no restrictions on having a job or insurance to receive proper treatment. Third, drug users also seem to be scared, but there is a proper drug treatment that restores the brain to a stable state after 6-9 months. Fourth, psychiatrists are not scared of receiving "crazy people." Suffering from mental illness is painful and can lead to many diseases. And lastly, Korea's depression rate was 36.8 percent in 2020, with the suicide rate being number 1 among OECD countries. If the environment and situation are too difficult to accept, I suggest you don't hesitate to visit us anymore.