These Are the Depression Symptoms Experienced by Indonesian Specialist Doctor Candidates

A Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) screening report reveals that at least 2,716 prospective specialists or participants in Indonesia's Specialist Medical Education Program (PPDS) are experiencing symptoms of depression.

This figure represents 22.4% of the total PPDS participants surveyed as of March 2024, according to a report received by *Databoks*, cited on Wednesday (April 17, 2024).

The most common symptom reported was fatigue or lack of energy, affecting 51% of individuals.

This was followed by difficulty sleeping or easily waking up, or excessive sleeping, affecting 38% of individuals. Another 35% reported a lack of interest or motivation in activities.

Other symptoms included feeling down or hopeless (25% of respondents), reduced appetite or overeating (24%), difficulty concentrating, lack of self-confidence, moving or speaking very slowly or feeling restless, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide (proportions shown in the graph).

Kemenkes also reported that of the 22.4% of PPDS participants experiencing depressive symptoms, 381 individuals (14%) were undertaking specialist training in pediatrics. Furthermore, 350 individuals (12.9%) were in internal medicine; 248 (9.1%) in anesthesiology; 164 (6%) in neurology; and 153 (5.6%) in obstetrics and gynecology.

This screening was conducted across 28 vertical education hospitals (RSV) with a total sample of 12,121 PPDS participants on March 21, 22, and 24, 2024.

The data was collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

The following are the types of depressive symptoms experienced by Indonesian prospective specialists:

* Feeling tired or lacking energy: 51%
* Difficulty sleeping or easily waking up, or excessive sleeping: 38%
* Lack of interest or motivation in activities: 35%
* Feeling down, gloomy, or hopeless: 25%
* Reduced appetite or overeating: 24%
* Difficulty concentrating, e.g., reading or watching television: 23%
* Lack of self-confidence, or feeling like a failure or having let oneself or family down: 21%
* Moving or speaking very slowly, or conversely feeling restless and agitated, leading to frequent movement: 10%
* Feeling that it would be better to be dead or having thoughts of self-harm: 3%

Note: This article is not intended to encourage suicidal thoughts. Suicide prevention assistance can be accessed by contacting the hotline 500-454 or 119 extension 8 to be connected to Sejiwa services. Information on suicide prevention can also be found on the Into the Light website via this link: [https://www.intothelightid.org/tentang-bunuh-diri/hotline-bunuh-diri-di-indonesia/](https://www.intothelightid.org/tentang-bunuh-diri/hotline-bunuh-diri-di-indonesia/)

(See also: [Experiencing Symptoms of Depression, 3.3% of Prospective Specialist Doctors Want to Self-Harm or Commit Suicide](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2024/04/16/alami-gejala-depresi-33-calon-dokter-spesialis-ingin-lukai-hingga-bunuh-diri))