Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 307 What are the differences between them?
Chonghui scooped a spoonful of tomato and egg mixture onto his rice and asked, "What's the same, and what's the difference?"

Nan Zhuren first pointed out the similarities: "They all have anorexia problems, and their anorexia is caused by anxiety."

Then came the difference: "But Li Mingchen's situation is more serious. Putting aside whether his almost-disappeared anxiety was previously anxiety disorder, at least his anorexia has been internalized and turned into anorexia nervosa."

"Xu Pengcheng's anorexia is currently mainly the result of external influences. He still has a strong appetite subjectively, and his anorexia has not yet developed to the level of a disease."

Chonghui nodded: "So?"

“So I was thinking,” Nan Zhuren tapped his forehead, “that although their problems are of different degrees, they are undoubtedly the same type of problem.”

"In the same environment, the same type of problem keeps appearing—what can you think of, senior?"

Chonghui chewed the food carefully before swallowing and took a sip of lemon water.

"Mental illness is the result of the combined effects of 'internal' and 'external' factors. And do you think this time the problem is mainly caused by 'external' factors?"

Nan Zhuren nodded: "If that's really the case, similar anorexia problems may continue to emerge in the future."

"I wonder when the next Li Mingchen will appear..."

Nan Zhuren hesitated slightly when he said this.

"But there's a problem here."

Chonghui immediately followed up: "What's the problem?"

"Both Li Mingchen and Xu Pengcheng developed anorexia due to anxiety. However, judging from the results, Xu Pengcheng's anxiety level seems to be more severe than Li Mingchen's."

Nan Zhuren recalled the conversation he had with the two students.

"Li Mingchen was anxious about his physical test results being too low and his weight being too heavy, so he decided to lose weight and started to lose his appetite."

"And Xu Pengcheng seems to have added a certain degree of... well, social anxiety-related issues to Li Mingchen's case."

Nan Zhuren recalled Xu Pengcheng's account and the scene he saw Xu Pengcheng doing extra training on the playground.

Chonghui rinsed his mouth with lemon water, then took a deep breath and, noticing the pause in Nan Zhuren's speech, said, "You were actually going to say 'social bullying' or 'interpersonal violence,' right?"

Nan Zhuren's speech was interrupted.

Because the two words Chonghui just pointed out aren't wrong. And considering the setting is on campus, it seems possible to replace a few words in those two phrases.

Those are even worse words.

Nan Zhuren thought for a moment and slowly shook his head: "The information we have collected so far is still too subjective; although we saw Xu Pengcheng doing extra training, the information contained therein is still very vague."

Let's review this: In the process of information gathering for psychological counseling, it is necessary to combine the impressions of the "counselor," the "client himself/herself," and the "people around the client."

Only in this way can we form a comprehensive impression of the visitor's problem and conceptualize the case.

"I don't rule out the possibility you mentioned, senior. I will continue to investigate those bullying and violence cases later. But for now, let's consider it at the level of [social anxiety]."

While acting with professional ethics and emotions as the driving force, one must still remain rational in the specific actions taken, avoid being swayed by emotions and feelings, and make the most professional judgments.

Bringing the topic back, Nan Zhuren raised an important question: "Since Li Mingchen is part of Xu Pengcheng's social anxiety, and Xu Pengcheng's anxiety is greater than Li Mingchen's—"

"—Then why was it Li Mingchen who developed anorexia nervosa first?"

This doesn't make sense logically.

...Is it because Li Mingchen's psychological resilience is weaker than Xu Pengcheng's, so he broke down earlier despite experiencing less anxiety?

It's not impossible.

However, for a psychology researcher, such a direct analysis would be too simplistic and crude.

Nan Zhuren said, "I think the difference between Li Mingchen and Xu Pengcheng might be a key point, and I need to figure it out."

Chonghui nodded and continued eating.

What Nan Zhuren needed to hold with both hands, Chong Hui could grasp with just one hand. He quickly ate the rice in a few bites, then let out a long sigh of enjoyment.

Then he served himself a second bowl.

Before starting, he looked at Nan Zhuren and asked, "So, have you thought about your purpose? Are you going to consult and intervene in Li Mingchen and Xu Pengcheng's relationship?"

Chonghui also asked a very crucial question.

Given Li Mingchen's situation, the relevant departments should arrange for another psychological intervention counselor or therapist. Nan Zhuren and his group intervening would be tantamount to stealing his job. Xu Pengcheng did not actively seek help, and Nan Zhuren is not a school counselor. If he intervenes in Xu Pengcheng, it would be like a social counselor offering to provide free counseling to a student.

The former is not quite right, and the latter is even less right.

Chonghui stared at Nan Zhuren and reminded him, "They didn't pay you any consulting fees."

[But they could all become my [case studies],] Nan Zhuren thought to himself.

However, Chonghui's reminder is not without merit and should be taken seriously.

Nan Zhuren quickly came up with an idea.

"Uh... isn't the emotion recognition system we're building right now designed to provide early warnings for students in special situations?"

Nan Zhuren slowly said, "The two students I've encountered are one who definitely needs a warning, and the other I think might need a warning. The real purpose of my in-depth investigation into their situations is to better improve our system."

Chonghui breathed a sigh of relief and lowered his head to start eating again: "Since it's to improve the system, there's no other way; although our research group has never done this in previous projects, scientific research is about continuous exploration and breakthroughs... What do you plan to do next?"

Nan Zhuren thought for a moment: "Regarding Xu Pengcheng's question, I need to ask more people to verify my conjecture. For example, his teammates and his coach."

Chonghui said vaguely, "My teammates are fine, but the coach might be a bit of a problem, since our data collection only targets students... But if it's for improving the system, I'll talk to the principal tomorrow. Both the teachers and the coaches should be able to cooperate."

This will save a lot of trouble; it's much better than Nan Zhuren going up to the coach on his own, being a bit reckless.

Nan Zhuren smiled.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

Buzz-buzz-

"Hey?"

Chonghui looked at Nan Zhuren.

"Oh, Director Chang, what's wrong?"

"Oh, you're coming to Jiangyi Middle School tomorrow to talk to the teachers and coaches, and you need our cooperation. Shall we go with you?"

(End of this chapter)