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Chapter 263 - 261 Further Interventions After Cognitive Adjustment for Depression (Non-Exclusive Standard)

Chapter 263: Chapter 261 Further Interventions After Cognitive Adjustment for Depression (Non-Exclusive Standard)

After the client exhibits suicidal behavior and the suicide is successfully intervened, it does not mean that the matter has come to an end.

On the contrary, suicidal behavior will continue to have various impacts on the client.

These will introduce many variables into the consulting intervention.

Some clients, after their first suicide attempt, lose the [fear] of "suicide" and even lose [reverence] for such a bottom-line act.

This is a very frightening psychological shift.

Perhaps the first time they used a blade to cut their wrists, or the first time they stepped onto a balcony, their hearts struggled repeatedly; but after this "first time," even minor setbacks might lead them to unhesitatingly choose suicide.

Many things should never be tried.

When others are hesitating about suicide, these clients who have previously attempted suicide might think, "Oh, is that all? I’ve tried it before, and doing it again is no big deal."

This is also why, when conducting a suicide assessment for depression, "has there been any past suicidal or self-harm behavior" is an extremely important indicator.

But Li Minglu’s situation is more like another type of client.

After a suicide attempt, this type of client might develop a fear of suicide, with many previously suppressed emotions resurfacing.

Hence, they start to cherish their life and body.

A bit like rebounding after hitting rock bottom.

Nan Zhubin wasn’t sure if this was due to Li Minglu’s personal traits or the result of the few instances of [Emotional Infection] from earlier.

Either way, the results are particularly good now.

"Last time during our consultation, we discussed your situation of [cognitive dissonance] and found that your [cognition] doesn’t match your current [environment]."

"It seems now you’ve resolved to change the [environment] part."

Nan Zhubin briefly summarized the content of the last consultation as well as Li Minglu’s current thoughts.

For an average depression patient, such a level of resolve might take months to reach, going through several to dozens of consultations.

Due to the failed suicide attempt, Li Minglu achieved this within two weeks.

This rapid change in perception has both pros and cons, and Nan Zhubin will need to solidify the positive aspects and remove the negative parts in future consultations.

And also prevent other negative things from appearing.

However, before that—

"Before today’s consultation begins, there’s something I must inform you of."

Any changes in the consultation process must be communicated to the client; this is both the client’s right and the consultant’s duty.

"Today is your last consultation at ’Yannuo Consulting Center,’ and it’s also my last day working at ’Yannuo.’"

Upon hearing this, Li Minglu was taken aback.

"And even in my most optimistic estimates, you’ll still need consultation intervention for some time afterward. For this, I can recommend other consultants to you..."

Li Minglu quickly interrupted, "Mr. Nan, are you no longer doing consultations?"

Nan Zhubin pursed his lips, seemingly contemplating something.

Eventually, he smiled and said, "If you’d like, I can continue your consultations, but we might need to change the venue."

Li Minglu nodded repeatedly, "Changing the place is no problem."

After saying this, he cautiously added, "If it’s inconvenient for Mr. Nan... the consultant you recommend is fine too."

Nan Zhubin immediately understood what Li Minglu was thinking and smiled, "It’s not inconvenient. I just wanted to confirm your intentions. You can think of this as a standard procedure."

After seeing Li Minglu visibly relax, the preliminary preparation for this consultation was completed.

Nan Zhubin smiled and said, "Then let’s officially start today’s consultation."

...

Seeing Li Minglu relax again.

His current condition is indeed quite optimistic, but it’s definitely not enough for Nan Zhubin to relax completely.

Nan Zhubin smiled and brought the topic back to its original part: "You already mentioned your resolve earlier, indicating that you’ve started to change your [environment] to restore balance to your cognition. This is a breakthrough, even a progressive advancement."

"For this, we need to readjust the subsequent consultation plan."

Li Minglu leaned forward, showing a willingness to listen attentively.

"As I mentioned earlier, even with the most optimistic estimates, you’ll still need consultation intervention for some time afterward. All this won’t end quickly."

Although on the surface, it seems that Li Minglu is in a "resolved" state.

But this doesn’t mean Li Minglu has "recovered"—not even "nearly recovered."

Right now, he is just "beginning to recover."

It was mentioned before that depression is not just a psychological problem but also involves physical disorders caused by psychological issues.

Although the physical issues are triggered by psychological problems, solving the psychological issue doesn’t mean the physical issue will immediately change accordingly.

On the contrary, even if the psychological issue is gone, the problems it caused in the body will still linger.

This means that Li Minglu might still experience attention deficits, forgetfulness, sleep disorders, etc.

His emotions might also habitually remain in a low state, trapped in the [depressive mood].

If these physical issues aren’t resolved, over time, they might trigger a new wave of psychological problems.

The consultant needs to guide the depression client’s daily routine during this "recovery" process and promptly counsel them to prevent negative emotions caused by these physical issues, avoiding depression relapse.

This is one point.

Secondly.

Although Li Minglu has undergone a cognitive shift and no longer hopes for Wang Sui to change, deciding instead to change his living environment himself.

But is this thought truly solid?

Nan Zhubin looked at Li Minglu.

Making up one’s mind is indeed very difficult.

However, compared to the subsequent actions, "making a decision" is actually the easiest step.

In the process from "making a decision" to "implementing actions," the consultant also needs to continually reinforce the client’s cognition and provide [Support] when the client wavers.

These issues with the above two points are also the main reasons why most depression patients are difficult to cure and why, after recovery, they are prone to relapse.

The existence of the consultant is naturally to help the client avoid these situations.

Nan Zhubin took a deep breath and began discussing the follow-up intervention plan with Li Minglu.

"Starting today, we need to first consolidate your cognitive aspects, preventing the progress we’ve made from backtracking. Optimistically, this will take about a month."

"Secondly, we need to rebuild your social functions, enriching your social support system—actually, you still maintain basic social functions as you continue to work, so this should be relatively quick."

"Finally, we need to establish a [relapse prevention system] for you. This includes simulating minor setback scenarios in a safe environment and training your tolerance threshold, among other things."

Nan Zhubin proposed a three-stage consulting goal.