Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!

...

Once the problem is identified, the next step is to analyze its causes.

Nan Zhubin first organized the knowledge related to the symptoms in his mind and began the process, "So, Teacher He, how did this patient develop into such a state?"

In hospitals, visitors generally refer to all doctors as "Teacher."

In environments where ranks are divided by titles, this ambiguous but respectful term can really close the distance.

Director He glanced at Nan Zhubin, "What do you think a child is most exposed to from elementary school to middle school and then to high school?"

Nan Zhubin answered promptly, "Family and school."

The two biggest sources of pressure.

Director He nodded, "Parents’ academic expectations for the child, coupled with the academic competition brought by the school environment itself."

"These two environments combined, the signals on both sides are consistent, and the expectations are overlapping."

"She’s been in this system for more than ten years, and she’s internalized these demands, turning them into part of herself."

In "Developmental Psychology," Piaget’s cognitive development theory has a concept called the transition from "heteronomy" to "autonomy."

Simply put, it’s about children and adolescents absorbing standards that require external supervision to implement, turning them into self-regulatory principles.

Normal internalization is a necessary path in cognitive development. But the key is — what is being internalized; and whether the internalization has left room for flexibility.

In this girl’s situation, at first glance, it seems like a love for learning, which might please parents and delight teachers.

But in the eyes of psychological consultants and psychiatrists, a child’s behavior of being "too sensible" is a genuine disaster.

"Did you just notice the patient’s family member, that little girl’s mother?" Director He reminded, "Her skin condition, her attire."

Nan Zhubin began to visualize in his mind.

Combined with the girl’s symptoms, many logical connections can be drawn.

"Her parents are not highly educated, their economic status is average, and their own level of education and emotional regulation ability are quite limited," Director He spoke tactfully.

But when expanded, the information volume is massive. Everyone present could easily imagine what kind of childhood experience lay behind this understated description.

This is a crucial reason for the girl’s symptoms, no wonder the family member’s attitude was okay earlier, yet Director He was less courteous.

"Although her mother has managed to form a decent treatment alliance with the girl, as well as us doctors, over these years, and has ’let go’ of the girl."

"But it’s already too late, the girl doesn’t listen, she’s internalized too deeply."

Director He sighed regretfully.

"It’s hard to tell whether this is good luck or bad luck."

"It’s a very contradictory situation."

Director He swiped her screen, "Her family gave her the earliest and most formidable pressure. This is clearly bad."

"But her family woke up and let go. Compared to families who don’t look back, this is much better."

This avoids the worst-case scenario.

Unclear what she was reminded of, Director He’s pupils slightly diffused, and her expression became a bit complex.

However, she quickly patted her face and refocused.

"Unfortunately, it’s already late — these three years have already caused irreversible damage. The girl’s body remembers those responses, her cognition has completed those fixed connections. When the parents let go, she was already not letting go of herself."

"Now we return to the initial question," Director He said, "Regarding my suggestion for the girl to drop out— I know you all don’t understand."

Everyone immediately sat up straight.

"Firstly, from a clinical point of view, her somatization response has persisted for three years, exhibiting a stable pattern — alleviates when leaving the school environment, worsens when returning."

"This already meets the characteristics of a conditioned response. The stimulus source is the uncontrollable daily environment, and the patient already shows somatic compensation. If this conditioned response cannot be actively dismantled, the best way is to cut off its triggering conditions."

Scribble, scribble —

Auditors began to take notes.

"Secondly, her academic performance," Director He continued, "You just heard her say she ’held on through discomfort to get into a good high school,’ she used to have decent grades."

"But — they can’t be considered good." Director He shook her head.

"Since she began feeling unwell for three years, she’s hardly had any continuous and stable learning state. Sporadically taking leave, missing classes every few days, resulting in her grades being at the bottom now, even — she can’t really be said to have grades."

Director He shook her head, "She essentially didn’t attend high school this year. Her academic level even regressed to some degree."

She stated a harsh truth, "I’ve seen her current grade report. Even if her situation doesn’t worsen, maintaining her current level — she won’t meet the requirements for college."

The auditors exchanged glances.

"The third issue is economic," Director He’s tone was calm, "I’ve mentioned before — her family is not affluent. Her medication in the early stage, hospitalization, psychological treatment, psychological consultation, have already placed significant pressure on the family."

"In this situation, suspending school for a year — " Director He shook her head, "Even though we’ve educated her family well and formed a treatment alliance. But will there be any changes during that year?"

Director He spoke tactfully, "No one knows."

All auditors together fell silent.

A brutal truth.

The fact is, most parents of children and adolescents with illnesses can form a "treatment alliance" with doctors or psychological consultants, united in efforts for the patient’s recovery, not always due to "understanding" or "letting go."

It’s more about "The child continuing like this will become a huge trouble."

When they realize "the trouble won’t go away," or even "the trouble might increase," the "treatment alliance" collapses instantly.

Even if "understanding" or "letting go," will there be any "new misunderstandings" during a year-long school suspension?

The benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom.

Director He has been following this case for three years.

"Of course, the patient could expect miracles during this year. For example, situation improves, starts learning anew, and obtains a decent qualification."

"But we have to consider more realistic factors. A patient has already spent enough time on a certain treatment plan without improvement, switching to another route is a better choice."

All auditors together fell silent.

This patient hasn’t shown suicide risk, no hallucinations, auditory or visual, nor any pathological behaviors of harming others.

But— simply can’t be cured.

This exists both in clinics and consultation rooms.

Director He’s questioning process just now indeed challenged everyone’s professional perspective.

But through a logical and sufficiently professional analysis, they’ve begun to absorb.

"Of course, what I’m doing is based on my three years of treatment, under circumstances of thoroughly understanding both the patient and the family."

Director He suddenly added, "Furthermore, I have the ability to bear all treatment consequences."

"If you encounter such a visitor in the future and advise them to drop out, claiming you learned from me at our center—"

Director He shrugged, "I won’t acknowledge it."

Auditors began to laugh.

"Alright, absorb it, we’ve stopped long enough," Director He said.

The teaching session ended, she needed to continue with today’s work.

Seeing Director He turn around and start operating the call system, the sound of the broadcast outside could be heard again.

Nan Zhubin suddenly glanced at his phone, jumped up, "Teacher He, I need to step out briefly, I have a visitor soon..."

"You sure know how to find the gap," Director He responded without turning her head.

"Go ahead."

Nan Zhubin nodded and stepped out with large strides, just brushing past the next patient entering.