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

Chapter 404 Li Minglu's Current Life
Briefly describe the changes in your life over the past week.

From the second consultation onwards, this question has almost become the opening line of every consultation.

Li Minglu was already quite skilled at this.

So much so that he may have already prepared a plan in his mind before coming to find Nan Zhuren.

This also ensures that his subsequent narrative is more complete.

Upon hearing Nan Zhuren's question, Li Minglu relaxed even more, and his gaze began to shift.

When he was reminiscing, his gaze lingered on the coffee table between the two of them, or somewhere else.

"I told you before, Teacher Nan, that I moved into a few friends' studios and now I'm considered part of the group. They have more opportunities to get work, and I'm also able to try creating works in other styles."

"Of course, I still keep in touch with Lao Xue. I only work on the studio's orders after I've finished his."

Lao Xue was Li Minglu's former editor.

It is an important component of Li Minglu's social support system.

“My brothers all know my preferences, and the tasks they assign me are ones that I am more willing to do.”

"Overall, things are getting better and better at work. I'm earning more money, and I'm happier when I'm painting."

Li Minglu said.

"Then, in their spare time, everyone would often hang out together. Those guys said they were looking for inspiration and brainstorming ideas, but it always ended up being playing cards, drinking, having late-night snacks, or doing some kind of performance art—"

At this point, Li Minglu and Nan Zhuren exchanged a brief glance.

It seems they wanted to convey some kind of past emotion.

"Then, when everyone's had too much to drink, they start talking about the past, crying and laughing. I can't laugh as loudly as they do, laughing until tears stream down my face, but when we talk about the past—"

At this point, Li Minglu's lips curled up slightly: "I can be happy... Yes, I can feel myself being happy."

Nan Zhuren nodded without offering any opinion, knowing that Li Minglu's account had much more to it.

"In short, I feel that life now is... good, much better than before. I feel physically lighter, mentally lighter, and I have fewer thoughts every day."

"If you're going to work, then work hard. If you don't want to work, go to the living room and look at some picture books. Soon, someone who also doesn't want to work will come over and ask me to hang out with them."

Li Minglu summarized: "It's just—easy."

After objectively recounting their life experiences, the visitor should continue to share their feelings and assessments of life.

Although Li Minglu's vocabulary for describing life is still relatively limited and monotonous, considering his previous state, his current growth is quite remarkable.

……

Li Minglu's narration continues.

"Besides that, I could sense that everyone's condition was fluctuating. There were other guys in similar condition to me before—of course, they were in a less severe state."

"Sometimes, they suddenly don't want to paint anymore. They just can't paint anymore, and they feel so bad that they roll around on the ground, and end up covered in paint."

"Of course, when they encounter this situation, they will come out and invite people to eat, drink and have fun together. Sometimes they will mutter to themselves, 'Am I depressed?' and then say things like, 'I am an artist now.'"

“I’m even considering recommending you to them, Professor Nan, so they can come and have a chat with you.” Nan Zhuren didn’t comment, but simply responded to Li Minglu’s words with a raised eyebrow and a quick laugh.

At this point, Li Minglu suddenly chuckled and showed a helpless expression.

“I told you, Teacher Nan, that I had depression and was moving out of my house. The first thing those guys did was say, ‘Ah Lu, you’re going to become a famous artist! Your paintings are going to become valuable! You’re going to be in textbooks!’”

After recounting the objective events, Li Minglu shared his feelings about the matter.

"When I'm with them, I feel like... everyone is the same. I feel like my problem might not be so serious now, and I don't need to worry about causing trouble for others. Psychologically... I feel lighter."

Nan Zhuren nodded slightly.

Many of the things Li Minglu is talking about now were shared with him during previous consultations.

It's just a change in perspective, and thus the degree has changed.

Nan Zhuren is quite optimistic about this aspect.

This is a positive and realistic atmosphere.

After Li Minglu discovered that people around him had similar problems and that everyone had a relatively relaxed attitude towards them, the main effect was to reduce loneliness and build a sense of belonging to the group.

This is an effect similar to group therapy—not group counseling, but group therapy.

At the same time, Li Minglu will also gain a kind of destigmatization experience in this process, no longer feeling that depression is a disaster or a trouble, and reducing self-criticism;

The assessment of depression can be reconstructed, giving people renewed hope for life.

Of course, unlike group therapy, this situation where a group of people with similar problems spontaneously gather together can easily get out of control.

Besides creating a positive atmosphere, it may also have many negative effects.

For example, negative resonance and competitive complaining can ultimately lead to a "symptom reinforcement cycle".

Or perhaps a sense of helplessness spreads, allowing negative emotions to circulate among people, ultimately leading to the "contagion of negative emotions."

Or perhaps friends repeatedly discuss problems and their negative feelings instead of seeking solutions, ultimately leading to "mutual rumination."

Of course, based on Li Minglu's account, these do not exist for the time being.

In addition to the negative effects mentioned above, even if the atmosphere of such gatherings is positive, it may still cause cognitive biases in patients with depression.

For example, the normalization bias: when individuals find that their negative experiences or symptoms are common in the group, they tend to regard them as "normal" or "acceptable" rather than "problems" that require intervention.

This can prevent patients from recognizing their need for professional help, thus delaying diagnosis and treatment.

Fortunately, when Li Minglu was influenced by this, he was already undergoing counseling and had developed a strong desire to seek help. He had also built a solid counseling relationship with Nan Zhuren.

Therefore, under Nan Zhuren's guidance, the changes in his current life can have a positive impact on him.

Even this kind of everyday influence was far more helpful to Li Minglu than what Nan Zhuren did in the counseling room.

"but……"

Li Minglu's smile suddenly faded.

(End of this chapter)