Woman,scolded at work,stops eating,needs reminders to use toilet



A young woman from Henan province, China, identified as Li, has entered a rare psychological state characterized by an inability to eat, drink, or move after a reprimand from her supervisor. According to Hongxing News, Li became unresponsive and ceased all basic life functions following the incident, which occurred a month prior.



Li's condition, which her doctor, Jia Dehuan, at Zhengzhou Eighth People's Hospital, likened to that of a "wooden" figure, is identified as catatonic stupor, a severe form of depression. Jia highlighted that Li's introverted nature and difficulty in communicating with others exacerbated her condition.

As her health deteriorated, Li became entirely dependent on her family for the most basic needs, including reminders to use the bathroom. The case has sparked significant discussion on mainland social media, with many expressing sympathy and sharing their own experiences with work-related stress.

Comments on platforms like Douyin reflect a broader dialogue on the impact of demanding jobs on mental health, with some users advising others to leave toxic work environments. The incident underscores the challenges faced by China's youth in the job market, where high unemployment rates and the scarcity of well-paying jobs contribute to a reluctance to resign from even the most demanding positions.

The Chinese government has taken steps to address these issues, introducing employment subsidies and job expansion allowances for companies to boost youth employment rates. Despite these measures, the urban unemployment rate among those aged 16 to 24, excluding students, saw a slight decrease from 18.8% in August to 17.6% in September, while the overall urban unemployment rate remained stable at 5.1% for the first three quarters of the year, a 0.2% decrease from the same period last year.

Li's case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace mental health and the need for employers and employees alike to prioritize well-being in the face of professional challenges.

 

Editor: CH



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