Depression is a brain condition. When you’re under constant extreme stress, your body produces too many stress hormones, which can disrupt the brain’s ability to manage emotions, motivation, sleep, and appetite. Not only do people feel down, but their daily lives are also ongoingly affected by these depressive feelings.

According to the latest DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) from the American Psychiatric Association, the core symptoms of depression include:

• Low mood
• Loss of interest in things or inability to enjoy them
• Significant weight changes
• Poor sleep
• Lack of motivation
• Fatigue
• Feeling worthless
• Difficulty concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts

Depression can be caused by various factors, including biological issues (imbalances in specific brain areas), psychological traits, environmental influences, and genetics:

Biological factors: Imbalances in brain neurotransmitters, substance abuse, excessive alcohol use, or certain medications (like steroids and blood pressure drugs).

Psychological factors: Low self-confidence, introverted and pessimistic personality, negative thinking patterns, or poor problem-solving skills.

Environmental factors: Job loss, ongoing stress, family breakdown, abuse, lack of support, chronic illness, living alone, loss of loved ones, or an unstable social environment.

Genetic factors: If your parents or close relatives have had depression, your risk is 1.5 to 3 times higher than the average person.

Most depressive moods can be properly alleviated through self-help methods, which include:

• Talk to your partner, friends, or a counseller about your feelings.
• Maintain an active daily life, schedule outdoor activities, or exercise more.
• Maintain a normal diet: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure a balanced diet.
• Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and abusing drugs.
• Strive for rest, even taking a few days off from daily work (as needed).
• Relax yourself through exercise, meditation, yoga, or massage.

As for treating severe depression, it includes treatments like medication, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy, depending on the severity of depression, its impact on the patient’s life, and whether there are other conditions.

Life Insurance

Depression does not affect Life Insurance compensation, but it’s worth noting that insurance companies usually do not cover suicide within the first year or two after the policy takes effect.

Medical Insurance

Older medical insurance plans often exclude psychiatric treatment, whereas current VHIS plans provide at least HK$30,000 per year for ‘psychiatric treatment’ coverage, and premium plans like Bowtie Pink even offer full reimbursement.

However, note that coverage only applies to inpatient treatment in Hong Kong recommended by a specialist doctor, while outpatient treatment, day clinic visits, and outpatient psychological counselling are not covered.

If the insured has previously suffered from depression, Bowtie will consider the following 5 major factors during underwriting process:

1. Has the insured received medication treatment?
2. Has the insured ever been hospitalized due to depression?
3. Has the insured undergone electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
4. Has the insured abused drugs?
5. Has the insured had suicidal tendencies?

For example, with VHIS, if the insured has completed treatment for 3 years or more, has not been hospitalized for more than 3 weeks, and has never undergone electroconvulsive therapy, they can apply with standard premiums.

The underwriting threshold for life insurance is relatively more flexible; if no further treatment has been received in the past month, you can generally apply with standard premiums.

Since every insured’s personal situation is unique, we can’t list every possible scenario here. If you have any underwriting questions, feel free to contact our customer service:

Office Hours

• Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
• Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: Closed

Contact Methods

• Hotline: 3008 8123
• WhatsApp: 3008 8123
• Email: cs@bowtie.com.hk

Get a Quick 1-Minute Check on Whether You Can Insure with Bowtie VHIS!

Want to apply for or switch to Bowtie VHIS, but unsure if your current health status will pass underwriting? Bowtie has compiled the most common underwriting results for 26 conditions, so you can do a quick self-check and find out in just 1 minute if you can apply!

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Please note:

• This assessment only provides a preliminary reference for a single health condition and is not the final underwriting result or a guarantee .
• If you have more than one health condition and wish to apply for Bowtie VHIS, we recommend filling out the health questionnaire for a detailed assessment.
• The final underwriting decision will be based on the complete health declaration at the time of application.