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A Chinese woman suffered a severe psychological condition after being scolded at her workplace by her supervisor.
In today’s world, most people spend a significant time of the day at the workplace. As a result, the environment and culture of the workplace can greatly affect our mood, and eventually our mental health. In a shocking incident, a Chinese woman experienced a severe psychological crisis after being scolded by her supervisor at work. The incident resulted in distress, followed by a condition that left her unresponsive. Li from Henan province, was unable to eat, drink, or move, resembling what doctors described as a “stiff wooden figure.” Li was reportedly reprimanded by her team leader, a month before her symptoms began to surface.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Li’s condition worsened over time. Her doctor, Jia Dehuan, at Zhengzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, revealed that she had been diagnosed with catatonic stupor, a symptom of severe depression. As per Cleveland Clinic, catatonia is a severe clinical syndrome that can leave patients unresponsive to stimuli, unable to speak, or incapable of movement. This rare and extreme form of depression is often triggered by intense emotional trauma or stress.
As Li’s condition worsened, her physical abilities significantly declined. Her family reported that when they took away the pillow from under her head, her head would hang in midair. She also required help from her family to remind her to use the toilet.
Jia noted that Li’s introverted nature made it challenging for her to share her feelings which may have contributed to the severity of her condition. However, Li has recognised her situation and expressed a desire to learn how to manage her mood better moving forward.
News of Li’s condition emerged on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, where many criticised the workplace culture that puts undue pressure on employees without regard for their well-being.
One user commented, “She had been torturing herself due to her boss’s actions.” Another added, “If your job is too demanding, it’s better to leave rather than suffer in silence.”
Someone else noted, “I also feel work-related stress at times, but I cannot quit because finding another job is so challenging.” Similar experiences were shared by users on community-focused platforms such as Douban where they noted that despite finding their job taxing, they cannot resign as prospects of finding a better job remain poor.
A survey conducted by the Chinese Psychological Society revealed that as many as 4.8 percent of employees experience depression related to their work environment. SCMP cited the data reported by Shangguan News last year that nearly 80 percent of workers reported feelings of agitation at work. Furthermore, 60 percent expressed anxiety, and almost 40 percent reported symptoms of depression, indicating a significant mental health crisis among the workforce.