Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!
Chapter 408 - 401: It’s Not a One-Person Matter

Chapter 408: Chapter 401: It’s Not a One-Person Matter

The things just mentioned were what Li Minglu had talked about with Nan Zhubin before.

And this week, evidently something new happened.

That’s what led to Li Minglu being in this hesitant state right in front of me now.

At this moment, Nan Zhubin finally spoke, guiding the conversation:

"Did something happen that’s different from before, making you feel anew?"

In response to Nan Zhubin’s question, Li Minglu slightly curled his lips into a smile.

"Teacher Nan, you really saw through it immediately."

Li Minglu nodded, "Indeed, some new things happened this week..."

When reaching here, Li Minglu paused slightly; clearly, what follows requires gathering some strength to speak out.

Fortunately, Li Minglu has always been someone with strong inner motivation.

After taking a few breaths, Li Minglu said, "You know, Teacher Nan? Although I’m separated from Sui now, it’s just a way for both of us to calm down. After what happened before, it’s essential to think thoroughly about what to do next. But that doesn’t mean our feelings... are bad."

Nan Zhubin nodded in affirmation, "Yes, you told me before."

Li Minglu continued, "And over this period, Sui has been actively trying to improve, although it might not be going very smoothly."

"Earlier, she enrolled in a course to get a Psychological Consultant certificate, studied for a while, but later I heard from Professor Jiang at the university that this certificate will soon be canceled. After telling Sui, she decided not to pursue it anymore."

Nan Zhubin nodded.

He also heard the rumor; the impending cancellation of the Psychological Consultant qualification is a significant event.

Since the exam consists only of a written test, which is quite easy, equating to obtaining a professional certificate simply by spending a month memorizing questions, enabling one to claim being a "Psychological Consultant" and start consultations.

It led to a mix of competent and incompetent professionals in the industry, worsening the stigma of psychological consultation.

Thus, the decision to cancel the relevant qualifications was made.

"And after not being able to take this certificate, Sui found connections to enroll in some class to learn psychological consultation techniques. Anyway, I understand her idea; she thinks that in the past, she didn’t understand my situation well... so she wants to understand me better."

"Every time she comes to see me, she shares what new things she’s learned recently. She really isn’t just going through the motions; she genuinely wants to change herself."

Objectively speaking, Wang Sui’s change is a positive trend.

"I also think it’s a good thing," Li Minglu said, "But recently... I discovered a new problem."

Looking into Nan Zhubin’s eyes, Li Minglu slowly uttered two words, "The children."

Hearing those words.

Nan Zhubin felt a heaviness in his heart.

"That is, Teacher Nan. I left home earlier because I thought my state might affect my daughter and son, that it was me making them unhappy at home. I figured, by leaving home, not only would I feel more at ease, but I also hoped their state would improve."

"But..." Li Minglu pursed his lips, "Things are not so simple."

"I’ve been seeing the children at least twice a week, taking them out and hearing about how they’ve been doing recently."

Speaking to this point.

Li Minglu shook his head, a look of worry was spread across his face, "They are... not doing well."

"After I left home, first and foremost, Sui’s state is not good, even worse than before. That’s understandable, and I can comprehend it."

"Thus, she has no mind to care for the children."

"The children tell me that the atmosphere at home now is worse than when I was there."

"When Professor Lin was consulting me, he even used phrases like ’depression might be contagious, might even be hereditary’ to get me to buy medicine, and I thought, after meeting you, that this was just him deceiving me."

"But now it seems... it’s not entirely unsubstantiated. Last week, looking at my daughter’s state, I thought about whether to take her to see a teacher..."

Nan Zhubin was silent for a moment.

"Mental illness has hereditary tendencies," indeed, there is scientific backing for this.

Scientists have conducted family aggregation studies, finding that mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, etc., have significantly higher incidence rates among patients’ first-degree relatives than in the general population.

There are also twin studies, comparing the concordance rates between identical and fraternal twins, finding that the concordance rates for identical twins are significantly higher than for fraternal twins.

Of course, the concept of "mental illness being hereditary" should not be oversimplified nor regarded as absolute.

Different mental illnesses manifest differently within family lineages; they cannot be generalized.

Just like how "a high cervical spine fracture" and "an ankle sprain" both require orthopedic treatment, these two are evidently different.

Moreover, scientists have proposed that apart from genes, the family environment caused by mental illness is also a crucial influencing factor.

For instance, through adoption studies, scientists found that the incidence rate of children of mentally ill patients who were adopted is lower than those growing up with their biological, mentally ill parents; likewise, children without a family history of mental illness growing up in families with no family history of mental illness have a lower incidence than children growing up in adoptive families with a family history of mental illness.

From this perspective.

Li Minglu’s consideration is not baseless.

He continued narrating, "I understand Sui is under a lot of pressure. I’ve considered taking the children over, partly to change the environment for them, and also to help ease some of Sui’s burden. Now it seems I’ve been too irresponsible."

"But I’m currently living with friends, all of whom are single men... bringing a child in wouldn’t be very convenient; it would trouble everyone too much."

"Moreover, taking my son is one thing, but my daughter? Clearly, that’s not feasible. And if I separate the two children, leaving one all alone at home, wouldn’t the situation be worse than it is now?"

"Of course, I’ve also thought about letting my father-in-law and mother-in-law take care of them, but they..." At this point, Li Minglu gave a slight smile.

Not a very pleasant smile.

Everything was left unsaid.

Li Minglu held his face in his hands and let out a long sigh.

"This is what’s newly happened to me this week. I’ve been fretting over this issue for the past few days, personally it feels..."

Li Minglu attempted to describe his current situation in some standard terms but after a while, just shook his head.

"It’s just very distressing, very worrying."

He raised his head to look at Nan Zhubin, a trace of expectation in his eyes.

"Teacher Nan, what do you think I should do now?"