Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!
Chapter 305 - 303: What Are Their Differences?

Chapter 305: Chapter 303: What Are Their Differences?

Chonghui scooped a spoonful of tomato and egg onto his rice and asked, "What are the similarities and differences?"

Nan Zhubin first mentioned the similarities: "They all have the issue of [eating disorder], and it’s [anxiety]-induced [eating disorder] behavior."

Then he explained the differences: "But Li Mingchen’s situation is more severe. Regardless of whether his nearly vanished [anxiety] was [anxiety disorder] before, his [eating disorder] behavior has internalized and turned into [anorexia nervosa]."

"Whereas Xu Pengcheng’s [eating disorder] is still primarily a result of external influences. Subjectively, he still has a strong appetite, and his [eating disorder] hasn’t developed to the level of illness."

Chonghui nodded: "So?"

"So I’ve been thinking." Nan Zhubin tapped his forehead, "Although the severity of their problems differs, there’s no doubt they’re of the same type."

"In the same environment, the same type of problem emerges consecutively—what does that make you think of, senior brother?"

Chonghui chewed his food carefully before swallowing, then sipped on lemon water.

"Mental illness results from a combination of ’internal’ and ’external’ causes. Do you think the issue this time is dominated by ’external’ causes?"

Nan Zhubin nodded: "If that’s the case, similar [eating disorder] problems might continuously emerge."

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

At this point, Nan Zhubin hesitated slightly.

"But there’s a problem here."

Chonghui immediately responded: "What problem?"

"Both Li Mingchen and Xu Pengcheng have [eating disorders] triggered by [anxiety]. But judging by the results, Xu Pengcheng seems to have a higher level of [anxiety] than Li Mingchen."

Nan Zhubin recalled the conversations with the two students.

"Li Mingchen was anxious about his fitness test scores not being good enough and his weight being too high, so he decided to diet and began to avoid eating."

"On top of that, Xu Pengcheng seemed to have a certain degree of... hmm, problems related to [social anxiety]."

Nan Zhubin recalled Xu Pengcheng’s account and the scene of him doing extra practice on the field.

Chonghui rinsed his mouth with lemon water, then took a deep breath and said regarding Nan Zhubin’s earlier pause, "Were you actually thinking about saying [social bullying] or [interpersonal violence]?"

Nan Zhubin’s pace of speech was involuntarily interrupted.

Because the two terms Chonghui pointed out weren’t wrong. And considering that the background was within a school, some of the characters could be replaced with more ominous ones.

That would be even worse terms.

Nan Zhubin thought for a moment, then shook his head slowly: "The information collected so far is still too subjective; although we saw the situation of Xu Pengcheng doing extra practice, the information within is still very vague."

To revisit: During the information collection process of Psychological Consultation, it is necessary to combine the impressions of the "consultant", the "visitor themselves", and the "people around the visitor".

Only in this way can a comprehensive impression of the visitor’s problem be formed and individual case conceptualization be performed.

"I can’t rule out the possibilities you mentioned, senior brother, such as bullying and violence, which I will continue to verify later. But for now, let’s first consider it at the level of [social anxiety]."

Driven by professional ethics and emotions, but when it comes to specific actions, you still have to maintain rationality and not be swayed by emotions, making the most professional judgment.

Bringing the topic back, Nan Zhubin raised an important question: "Since Li Mingchen is part of Xu Pengcheng’s [social anxiety], and Xu Pengcheng’s [anxiety] level is higher than Li Mingchen’s—"

"—then why did Li Mingchen develop [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 collapsed first despite experiencing lighter anxiety?

It’s not impossible.

But as a psychology researcher, such a straightforward analysis seems too simplistic and crude.

Nan Zhubin said: "I think the differences exhibited between Li Mingchen and Xu Pengcheng might be crucial; I need to understand them."

Chonghui nodded while continuing to eat.

Nan Zhubin had to hold his bowl with both hands, while Chonghui could grip it with one hand. He quickly finished his meal and exhaled with satisfaction.

Then he served himself a second bowl.

Before starting, he looked at Nan Zhubin: "So, have you figured out your purpose? To consult and intervene with Li Mingchen and Xu Pengcheng?"

Chonghui also posed a critical question.

With Li Mingchen’s situation, the relevant departments should arrange another psychological consultation consultant or therapist later. If Nan Zhubin intervenes, it would be like taking over someone else’s job; whereas Xu Pengcheng hasn’t actively sought help, and Nan Zhubin isn’t the school’s psychology teacher. If he intervenes with Xu Pengcheng, it would be a social consultant voluntarily offering free consulting to a student.

The former isn’t really suitable, and the latter even less so.

Chonghui reminded Nan Zhubin, "They haven’t paid you consultation fees, you know."

[But they both could become my [cases].] Nan Zhubin thought.

Nonetheless, Chonghui’s reminder wasn’t without merit and needed to be heeded.

Nan Zhubin quickly had an idea.

"Uh... isn’t the emotional recognition system we are constructing meant to provide early warnings for students in special situations?"

Nan Zhubin slowly said, "The two students I encountered, one is confirmed to need a warning, and the other I think might need one. The essential purpose of deeply investigating their situations is to better improve our system."

Chonghui breathed a sigh of relief and continued eating: "If it’s to improve the system, then there’s no choice; although our research group didn’t do this in previous projects, scientific research is about constant exploration and breakthroughs... what do you plan to do next?"

Nan Zhubin thought: "For Xu Pengcheng’s issues, I need to ask more people to verify my assumptions. Like his teammates and his coach."

Chonghui vaguely said, "Teammates are fine, but the coach could be tricky because our data collection only targets students... but if it’s for system improvement, then I’ll talk to the principal tomorrow. Both teachers and coaches should cooperate."

This would save a lot of trouble, certainly better than if Nan Zhubin went directly to the coach on his own.

Nan Zhubin smiled.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

Buzzz—Buzzz—

"Hello?"

Chonghui looked at Nan Zhubin.

"Oh, Director Chang, what’s up?"

"Ah, you’re coming to Jiang Yizhong tomorrow to talk with teachers and coaches, need our cooperation, want us to join you?"