Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei's War Journey

After changing into a brand new set of clothes, Lu Mingfei went to the barbershop to get a new hairstyle and carefully tidied up his messy hair.

After doing all this, Lu Mingfei still didn't go to school. Instead, he went to the largest tertiary hospital in the city and registered for an outpatient appointment in the psychology department. Since he already knew he had a mental illness, he should see a doctor.

While other departments were packed with patients, the psychology department was not crowded. In Xia Guo, people are still reluctant to associate themselves with mental illness, as no one wants to be called crazy.

Moreover, older generations generally don't understand mental illness and just think it's just being dramatic.

If Lu Mingfei had said he wanted to see a psychologist before, his uncle and aunt would never have brought him; they would have just thought he was crazy. But even if they thought he was crazy, they wouldn't have brought him to see a doctor.

Fortunately, Lu Mingfei now has control over the finances.

Before long, it was Lu Mingfei's turn to go in for his consultation. The doctor was a middle-aged man in a white coat, who looked at Lu Mingfei with some surprise as he walked in.

"Did you come alone? Where are your parents?"

Students like Lu Mingfei are usually accompanied by their parents, and when they arrive, their condition is already very serious, with some even exhibiting somatization.

It's really rare to find a young person like Lu Mingfei who seems to have no problems on the surface and who came alone.

"Doctor, I came alone," Lu Mingfei said, sitting in the chair opposite the psychologist.

"So, what discomfort or trouble do you feel? Is it poor sleep? Persistent low mood? Or do you experience palpitations or chest tightness?" The doctor adjusted his posture and asked in a guiding tone.

"I've been through some things in the past, and now I've become somewhat irritable and easily angered. When I encounter problems, I tend to use violence to solve them, and I also frequently experience auditory hallucinations."

Lu Mingfei spoke, his tone as calm as if he were recounting someone else's story, showing none of the irritability he had described.

The psychologist pushed up his glasses, his expression turning serious. He carefully examined Lu Mingfei. The young man was well-dressed, and although his eyes were calm, there was indeed restlessness and aggression hidden deep within. More importantly, the symptoms he described were very specific, indicating that it was by no means an ordinary emotional problem.

"Could you describe the experience in more detail? And what were the contents of the auditory hallucinations?" The doctor tried to keep his tone calm to avoid upsetting the other person.

Lu Mingfei paused for a moment. The matter concerning the Andes Mountains was too shocking, and he didn't know whether he should tell anyone. But if he didn't tell anyone, would the doctor be able to solve his problem?

"I experienced a...very serious accident, a lot of people died, and I survived by sheer luck. Ever since then, I've felt something was off."

"I get angry very easily. Sometimes, even the smallest things, like someone pushing me or looking at me with a bad look, don't make me argue or avoid them. Instead, I think about how to make them lose their ability to fight back in the most effective way."

"As for auditory hallucinations, I always hear... painful groans, and people calling my name, questioning why I didn't save them."

Lu Mingfei ultimately decided not to reveal the matter of the Andes Mountains, since even if he did, no one would necessarily believe him.

While quickly jotting down keywords in the medical record, the doctor continued with leading questions: "So, how much actual impact have these strong violent impulses and auditory hallucinations had on your daily life, such as your studies at school, your interactions with classmates, or your life at home?"

"It has had a huge impact on me. I've been in more than one conflict with people. In fact, I just got out of jail yesterday," Lu Mingfei said.

The doctor nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Based on your description, you are very likely suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD," the doctor initially diagnosed.

"After experiencing a major traumatic event, one may experience increased vigilance, irritability, anger, and intrusive symptoms, such as auditory hallucinations and visual flashbacks. These are typical clinical manifestations, especially the tendency to prioritize violence that you mentioned. This is a manifestation of increased vigilance and pathological defense mechanisms."

Lu Mingfei listened attentively. He had heard of the term PTSD before; it seemed to be often associated with war.

"Post-traumatic stress disorder... Doctor, isn't this illness... only soldiers or people who have experienced war get it? Can it be cured?" Lu Mingfei asked with some concern.

"PTSD isn't limited to the battlefield," the doctor patiently explained.

"Any life-threatening or traumatic event that causes severe psychological impact, such as a serious car accident, natural disaster, violent attack, or witnessing the death of someone else, can trigger such an event."

"As for treatment, please rest assured that PTSD can be effectively controlled and significantly improved through systematic treatment," the doctor replied affirmatively.

"It usually requires a combination of medication and psychotherapy. For example, some anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs can help stabilize your mood, improve any sleep disorders, and reduce alertness. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help you process traumatic memories and learn healthier coping mechanisms instead of resorting to violence."

Looking at Lu Mingfei's young face, the doctor said with a tone of comfort, "You are still very young, and your nervous system has great plasticity. As long as you actively cooperate with the treatment, you have a great chance of returning to a normal life. I will prescribe some medicine for you. Take it for two weeks and see the effect. I also suggest that you come for psychological counseling regularly."

"Most importantly, when you feel emotionally out of control or have violent impulses, try to leave the environment, take deep breaths, and try to distract yourself in other ways, such as exercise. Remember not to act impulsively."

The doctor began writing a prescription while giving instructions on precautions.

Lu Mingfei listened quietly, but his mind was in turmoil. He wondered if conventional methods like drug treatment and psychological counseling would be effective for someone like him who had integrated the memories of an assassin and possessed a strange firearm.

He took the doctor's prescription and went to the pharmacy to pick up the medicine.

Lu Mingfei looked at the large pile of medicine in his hand, and then at the bill. He had just talked with the psychologist for almost an hour.

The cost was 800 yuan per hour, and with the medicine I had, it came to another 400 yuan. The most important thing was that the psychotherapy and these medicines were not covered by medical insurance.

Treatment for PTSD usually takes a long time, and his condition is quite severe, so he will need to see this doctor frequently for talk therapy.

He roughly estimated that each session would cost 800 yuan, and to cure it would cost at least tens of thousands of yuan. No wonder not many people come to see a psychologist; the price is indeed too high.

Lu Mingfei originally thought he was quite wealthy, but now the treatment for his mental illness would cost tens of thousands of yuan, and the money in his bank account was about to disappear before he could even enjoy it.

However, Lu Mingfei has no intention of giving up on himself; he cannot allow himself to slide into the abyss of utter madness.

He didn't want to really become a mad monster who only knew how to kill.

This money has to be spent.

He calculated the time; his parents wouldn't send money again until around the start of next school year, which would mean missing the crucial winter break.

If he wants to travel to Chicago to find Nono during the winter break, he will have to figure out how to cover the medical expenses and travel funds himself over the next few months.

It seems I absolutely have to attend the gilded banquet.