In this age of 10 million households with pets, it's not uncommon for people to suffer from “pet loss syndrome,” which results from the loss of dogs or cats whose body clocks are different from humans.

Some people even seek medical attention for this condition, which can lead to severe depression. Some say that this reaction is too much. Really?

“Any loss can cause depression,” said Namkoong Kee, a professor of psychiatry at Severance Hospital, on the YouTube channel “I am a Doctor.” It’s the same as when a husband or parent dies, and you go to the hospital because you're depressed. When a pet dies, you also go to the hospital because you're depressed.”

The timeframe in which the depression caused by the death of a pet turns into a depression that requires active treatment is the same as the depression caused by the death of someone close to you.

“In humans, when someone dies, and the person feels depressed, it's considered normal for up to six months,” Professor Namkoong said. “So we don't diagnose it as depression but call it 'mourning period.' If people cannot control their emotions after six months and the same level of depression persists, the diagnosis changes. It's called 'delayed grief response,' which is regarded as depression. You must start taking medication and treating it in earnest.”

For those suffering from pet loss syndrome, Professor Namkoong, a professor of psychiatry and a human who owns a 13-year-old dog named Gamja (Potato), offered these words of comfort.

“If you suffer from pet loss syndrome, you must have given your pet enough love when they were alive. You wouldn't have suffered from pet loss syndrome if you hadn't loved him. Your pet lived a happy life, but it was not a human. Your pet is not thinking the way you think. The fear of death that we feel isn't as concrete for pets. The emotions are there, but I think it's helpful to separate them slightly,” Professor Namkoong said.

“People with pet loss syndrome are wonderful. They're humane people,” he added.