Her doctor described Li as resembling a “wooden” figure and explained that she was experiencing catatonic stupor, which is a symptom of depression. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
BEIJING (SCMP): A Chinese woman in her 20s became a “stiff wooden person” and ceased eating, drinking, and moving after being scolded by her supervisor at work.
The woman, identified simply as Li from central China’s Henan province, suddenly became unresponsive and could no longer eat, drink, move, or engage in conversation, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Hongxing News on October 15.
It was revealed that Li had been reprimanded by her team leader a month prior, leading to her prolonged unhappiness.
As her condition worsened, her head would hang in mid-air if her family removed the pillow beneath it, and she required help from her family to remind her to use the toilet.
Her doctor, Jia Dehuan, at the Zhengzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, described Li as resembling a “wooden” figure.
Jia explained that Li was experiencing catatonic stupor, a symptom of depression.
As her condition worsened, her head would hang in mid-air without the pillow. Photo: Kinga Cichewicz/Unsplash
She noted that Li had an introverted personality and struggled to open up to those around her, which ultimately contributed to her more severe condition.
Li reportedly acknowledged her situation and expressed a desire to manage her mood more effectively from now on.
The case has caused a stir on mainland social media.
“She had been torturing herself due to her boss’s actions,” commented one user on Douyin.
Another added: “If your job is too demanding, it’s better to leave rather than suffer in silence.”
A third observer noted: “I also feel work-related stress at times, but I cannot quit because finding another job is so challenging.”
China reported a decrease in unemployment among the urban labour force aged 16 to 24, excluding students, which fell from 18.8 per cent in August to 17.6 per cent in September.
A revealing survey conducted by the Chinese Psychological Society uncovered that up to 4.8 per cent of Chinese employees grapple with workplace depression. Photo: Shutterstock
The overall urban unemployment rate remained stable, averaging 5.1 per cent in the first three quarters, down 0.2 per cent compared to the same period last year.
In June, the government introduced measures to offer companies employment subsidies and job expansion allowances to enhance the youth employment rate.
On Chinese social media platforms such as community-focused Douban, many expressed their struggles in finding well-paying jobs and a reluctance to resign despite the demands of long working hours and heavy workloads.
A survey by the Chinese Psychological Society on workplace mental health found that up to 4.8 per cent of Chinese employees experienced workplace depression.
Nearly 80 per cent of employees reported feelings of agitation at work, 60 per cent reported anxiety, and nearly 40 per cent reported symptoms of depression, according to Shangguan News last year. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
