Singer Lee Hyo-ri, 47, says she sees a psychiatrist regularly — even without symptoms

Singer Lee Hyo-ri, 47, has drawn attention after revealing that she visits a psychiatrist regularly even when she has no particular symptoms — treating mental health checkups the same way she would a routine physical. Her disclosure highlights the importance of catching early changes in daily life, from stress and low mood to shifts in drinking habits.

Lee made the remarks Monday on JTBC's dating reality program "Yeonae Jeonjaeng" (Love War), advising a couple on the show to seek professional help over conflicts stemming from excessive drinking. According to the broadcast, one contestant drinks five to six times a week and consumes four large plastic bottles of soju in a single sitting — a pattern that pointed to a serious alcohol problem.

"I really hope you two go to the hospital together," Lee said. "I go to a psychiatrist myself. Even though it doesn't interfere with my daily life, I go every now and then, just like getting a health checkup." She added: "Don't go through life thinking 'I'm fine.' It would be good to ask yourself, 'Could I be an alcoholic or not?' and actually check."

In practice, catching the early signs of mental illness and alcohol use disorder — and getting appropriate help — is critical. Drinking problems in particular can affect a person's health and relationships even while that person believes they still have their drinking under control.

When your body hurts, you see a doctor — so why neglect your mind? Here are the warning signs that a mental health checkup may be overdue.

Mental health problems can surface across many areas of daily life, including sleep, appetite, concentration and emotional regulation. If you find yourself more easily irritated than usual, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, or struggling to sleep consistently, it may be time to take a closer look at your own state of mind.

According to data the World Health Organization (WHO) released in September, an estimated 1.2 billion people worldwide were living with a mental disorder as of 2023 — roughly one in every seven people globally. Anxiety disorders and depressive disorders accounted for the largest share.

Mental health problems extend beyond emotional distress, affecting physical health and social functioning as well. Depression can bring sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating; when symptoms worsen, maintaining a job or sustaining relationships can become a serious challenge.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recommends that anyone experiencing disruptions to daily life from depression, anxiety or sleep problems first assess how long the symptoms have lasted and how severe they are.

When feelings of helplessness, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, or difficulty concentrating persist for two weeks or more and begin to affect daily functioning, a professional evaluation is recommended. Even if symptoms appear briefly, early care is warranted if they worsen rapidly or cause significant distress.

A psychiatric consultation typically involves a structured interview covering the type and duration of symptoms along with sleep patterns and lifestyle habits. When needed, clinicians use standardized assessment tools and physical examinations to identify factors that may be contributing to the symptoms.

The core of a mental health checkup is an honest, objective look at one's own condition. Even if daily life seems manageable, recurring anxiety, stress or changes in sleep can be explored through counseling to identify their causes and find ways to address them.

"Once I start drinking, I can't stop" — warning signs of alcohol use disorder

What Lee referred to on the program as "alcohol addiction" is known medically as alcohol use disorder — a condition in which a person's ability to control their drinking weakens and they continue to drink despite repeated alcohol-related problems.

Alcohol affects the brain's reward system, producing a temporary sense of pleasure. With repeated drinking, the neural circuits involved in reward and stress regulation begin to change, intensifying cravings and making it harder to cut back.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol use disorder is assessed against 11 symptoms observed over the past 12 months. Meeting two or three criteria indicates mild disorder; four or five indicates moderate; six or more indicates severe.

Common symptoms include drinking more or for longer than intended, and repeatedly trying to cut back without success. Strong cravings for alcohol and failing to meet obligations at work or at home because of drinking also fall within the criteria.

Continuing to drink despite conflicts with family or a partner, and needing progressively larger amounts to achieve the same effect, are also warning signs. If a person experiences tremors, anxiety, insomnia or cold sweats when not drinking, the possibility of dependence should be evaluated.

Frequency and quantity of drinking alone should not be the only measures — the ability to control one's drinking and the harm it causes must also be considered.

The WHO developed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, known as AUDIT, to help identify drinking problems early. The 10-question screening tool assesses drinking frequency, typical quantity per occasion, binge drinking and difficulty controlling alcohol use.

South Korea uses a Korean-language version called AUDIT-K. When a screening result indicates elevated risk, clinicians conduct interviews and additional assessments to determine whether alcohol use disorder is present and whether treatment is needed.

Quitting cold turkey can trigger seizures — how is alcohol dependence treated?

As alcohol use disorder progresses, alcohol can damage multiple organs, including the liver, pancreas and brain. Long-term heavy drinking raises the risk of fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis and pancreatitis, and can impair cognitive functions such as memory and judgment.

People with severe alcohol dependence need to be especially careful even when attempting to quit. Stopping abruptly after prolonged heavy drinking can trigger withdrawal symptoms as the body adjusts to the absence of alcohol.

According to NIAAA, alcohol withdrawal symptoms include hand tremors, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, and elevated heart rate and blood pressure. In severe cases, seizures, hallucinations and confusion can occur, and severe withdrawal can be life-threatening.

Anyone who drinks heavily on a daily basis, or who has experienced tremors or cold sweats when trying to stop, should undergo a medical evaluation before attempting to quit and work with a clinician to develop a safe plan. In cases of severe dependence, inpatient treatment and medication may be necessary.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder draws on counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. NIAAA lists naltrexone, which reduces cravings, and acamprosate, which helps maintain abstinence, among the approved treatment options.

The role of family and those close to the person also matters. Rather than focusing on covering up the consequences of someone's drinking, supporting the person in recognizing their own drinking habits and seeking a professional evaluation is more helpful to recovery. When drinking leads to verbal or physical abuse or other safety concerns, protecting those around the person must come first.

The earlier alcohol use disorder is identified, the greater the opportunity to limit the damage it causes to health and daily life. Lee's call for routine mental health checkups carries meaning in exactly this context. Rather than waiting until symptoms become severe before seeking help, paying attention to one's emotions and daily habits — and reaching out to a professional when the time is right — is one of the most important ways to take care of mental health.