A young woman from Henan province, China, named Li, suffered a severe psychological breakdown after being reprimanded by her supervisor at work, according to the South China Morning Post. Following the incident, Li entered a catatonic state, ceasing to eat, drink, move, or communicate. Her complete physical and emotional shutdown has drawn significant attention, highlighting the growing issue of workplace mental health in China.
The crisis began a month prior when Li’s team leader scolded her, which left her deeply unhappy and emotionally overwhelmed. As her mental health deteriorated, her physical abilities also declined rapidly. Her family shared that without a pillow supporting her head, it would droop lifelessly, unable to hold itself up. Additionally, she lost control over essential bodily functions, relying on family members for reminders to use the toilet.
Dr. Jia Dehuan, who treated Li at Zhengzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, described her condition as a catatonic stupor, a rare and extreme symptom of depression. Patients in this state experience complete immobilization, unresponsiveness, loss of motor control, and disconnection from reality. Dr. Jia explained that such conditions are often triggered by severe emotional trauma or stress.
According to Dr. Jia, Li had an introverted personality, which made it difficult for her to express her emotions or seek help. This emotional withdrawal worsened her condition, resulting in the extreme breakdown she experienced. With appropriate medical care and psychological support, Li has been receiving treatment to aid in her recovery.
The incident has generated widespread concern across Chinese social media platforms. Users have expressed sympathy for Li’s ordeal and condemned the workplace environment that led to her breakdown. One user remarked, “If a job becomes unbearable, leaving is better than suffering in silence.” Another commented, “She endured immense emotional torment because of her boss’s behavior.”
The alarming case has reignited conversations about workplace mental health in China. A survey conducted by the Chinese Psychological Society revealed concerning statistics, with 4.8% of employees reporting depression caused by work. Furthermore, 80% of respondents acknowledged experiencing agitation at work, 60% reported symptoms of anxiety, and nearly 40% showed signs of depression, according to Shangguan News (2023).
The survey’s findings shed light on the mental health challenges faced by Chinese employees. High work demands, limited job security, poor work-life balance, and insufficient communication between employees and employers are contributing to the growing mental health crisis. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for better mental health care and supportive workplace environments.
Reference:
1. “Chinese Woman, Scolded at Work, Stops Eating, Needs Reminders to Use Toilet.” South China Morning Post, October 27, 2024. https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3283564/chinese-woman-scolded-work-stops-eating-needs-reminders-use-toilet.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)