The Psychologist Episode 20 Recap
> The Psychologist Recap
He Dun returned to her studio and saw a poster image sent by Qian Kaiyi. She instinctively wanted to share it with Lili, then remembered Lili had moved out. Meanwhile, at the radio station, Qian Kaiyi and his team received numerous calls for psychological consultations, many of which were from people struggling financially and seeking free services.
One team member relayed a story about a listener whose son has psychological problems but they lack the funds for counseling, suggesting a collaboration with non-profit organizations for free help. Qian Kaiyi explained that he had discussed this with He Dun, who pointed out that free counseling often reduces a client's motivation for change, diminishing its effectiveness and leading to issues like missed appointments.
He noted that this is why some counselors offer services at a reduced price rather than free. Qian Kaiyi then proposed establishing an "Information Transferring Centre" to connect clients with counselors, and his team eagerly agreed to help by listing counselors, managing customer service, and developing the necessary technology. He Dun welcomed a new client, Zhan Lu. Zhan Lu was visibly distracted, constantly checking her watch, anxious about picking up her daughter at five.
He Dun reassured her that their fifty-minute session would conclude by three twenty, alleviating Zhan Lu's worry. Zhan Lu confessed to He Dun that she felt "mad" because she had thoughts of harming her son. He Dun confirmed that these thoughts were only in her mind and she had not planned any actions, expressing understanding for her anxiety. He Dun then asked Zhan Lu to consider how her life would change if her son were to disappear.
Zhan Lu responded that "one finished, all is finished," and that she might be able to return to her old life, stating, "He was an accident. But now I'm. . . I can't bear it anymore." He Dun probed further about the changes in her life since her son's birth. Zhan Lu recounted feeling humiliated when her mother-in-law would bring guests to observe her nursing, then take the baby from her, making her feel like a "free baby-sitter."
She described her husband feigning interest in their son while only caring about his football games, and her mother-in-law constantly demanding she do chores, leaving her no peace. Overwhelmed by these experiences, Zhan Lu broke down, crying that she "can't stand anymore" and "no one can help me." She admitted her mind often went blank, and she found herself crying without knowing why.
He Dun concluded that Zhan Lu was experiencing postpartum depression, based on her Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of 21, well above the threshold of 13. Zhan Lu expressed fear that her family, particularly her husband and mother-in-law, would dismiss her condition as being "captious." He Dun assured her that postpartum depression is a common, scientifically recognized condition linked to hormonal changes and the stress of adapting to a new life.
She provided statistics, noting that out of 15 million new mothers annually in China, 60-80% experience some depressive emotions, and over 10 million are unhappy each year, emphasizing, "You are not alone." He Dun promised to support Zhan Lu through continuous evaluation of her depression level and offered a referral to a psychiatric department for medication if needed to alleviate her suffering.
She also explained the "cognitive triad"—negative views of self, environment, and future—common in depression, reassuring Zhan Lu that these negative thoughts are not facts and her condition would improve with stable hormone levels and He Dun's continued support. During lunch, Mo Yu shared with Ye Jiahui that he felt "much better" every time he left He Dun's office because of her patience.
Ye Jiahui, however, bluntly stated that He Dun "can't cure" Mo Yu, questioning why he remained emotionally unstable despite multiple sessions. Mo Yu countered that He Dun considered psychological counseling a long-term process, to which Ye Jiahui asked if he didn't want to be cured sooner. Mo Yu cryptically replied, "Some things are not what they look like," promising Ye Jiahui would "find out later."
In her next session, Zhan Lu described feeling like "the murderer in movies" when thoughts of harming her son emerged, questioning if she was "really mad." He Dun affirmed these thoughts were normal for someone experiencing depression and suggested exploring the circumstances under which they appeared most often. Zhan Lu recounted witnessing her mother-in-law’s favoritism towards her son, DouDou, often at the expense of her daughter, Coconut.
She vividly remembered her mother-in-law suggesting to stop Coconut’s painting class and scolding Coconut for disturbing DouDou, making Zhan Lu fear her daughter would be "hurt" and lose her "good personality." He Dun confirmed that Zhan Lu's fear of Coconut suffering unfair treatment, mirroring her own past experiences, triggered the thoughts of harming her son. He Dun then asked about situations when these destructive thoughts lessened.
Zhan Lu recalled moments when Coconut was vibrant and protective, like when Coconut lovingly removed a white hair from her mother or comforted her when she cried. These instances, when Coconut was "happy and healthy" and "being protective," made the harmful thoughts "gradually decrease." As the session ended, Zhan Lu felt that Coconut had given her "a lot of mental strength" and "perhaps she's not as fragile as I thought."
After leaving, Zhan Lu remembered another distressing incident at Coconut's school. The teacher, Miss Liu, informed her that Coconut was the only student who hadn't completed the weekly "electronic error question bank" with a parent, causing Zhan Lu significant stress. Later, at school, children mocked Zhan Lu for urinary incontinence, a postpartum issue, but Coconut immediately ran to hug her mother, protecting her.
The next day, a stylish woman in sunglasses, Tong Yao, arrived at He Dun's studio, claiming to be Lili's friend and asking for her. When told Lili was out, Tong Yao complimented He Dun's home, then hinted that everyone had "something that no one knows," or a "secret," before leaving. Meanwhile, Lili was by a swimming pool with Mr. Fang, who expressed his devotion, thanking him for helping her mother with a store, keeping her busy and away from mahjong.
Lili then received a message from He Dun asking about Tong Yao. Unsure how to reply, she consulted Mr. Fang, who advised her not to respond immediately, suggesting He Dun needed time to process things, and too much eagerness or politeness could hinder their reconciliation. Lili agreed to meet He Dun in person. She teased Mr. Fang about his skill in comforting women, implying he'd had practice.
Mr. Fang, whose full name is Zhongyi, told Lili he had had "a couple of girlfriends" but now wanted to "settle down and have a life" with her. Lili, who once fantasized about her father walking her down the aisle, found comfort in Mr. Fang's promise of "the best wedding in the world," despite her earlier skepticism. That night, the "Night Talk to Your Heart" broadcast resumed. Qian Kaiyi asked He Dun about postpartum depression.
He Dun explained its high incidence, comparing mild symptoms like anxiety or depression to a common cold. She stressed that new mothers needed "plenty of love and care" to prevent mild symptoms from escalating into severe postpartum depression. He Dun also added that "novice fathers" could also experience it, emphasizing the vital "companionship and support" from all family members during the perinatal period to significantly lower its incidence.
She debunked the "misconception" that second-time mothers were better off, noting they often faced even greater pressure due to family structural changes. Later, Professor Ji, feeling followed, discovered it was Ye Jiahui, who had brought him a book, "Rehabilitation of Cognitive Dysfunction," which was the last copy of a book Professor Ji had expressed interest in at the library. Professor Ji initially declined, having lost other copies of the same book, but eventually accepted.
He expressed gratitude, remarking that He Dun was "lucky to have such a good neighbor." Ye Jiahui stated that He Dun's teacher was like his own, and he was only interested in psychology, trying to "cotton up" for future guidance. Professor Ji, not easily swayed, teased Ye Jiahui about trying to "buy me off with a book" but advised him to "take care of" He Dun, who could be intense and sometimes "brings trouble to her."
Ye Jiahui assured him that He Dun was his friend and he would do his best. The next day, Zhan Lu's daughter, having heard the broadcast, visited the radio station hoping to get He Dun's autograph as a surprise for her mother. Qian Kaiyi warmly welcomed her inside. Meanwhile, Lili called Qian Kaiyi on the phone to inform him that she had moved out of He Dun's place.
She asked him to "go and visit her every now and then," implying He Dun needed support, which made Qian Kaiyi suspect they had had a disagreement. Later, Professor Ji called He Dun on the phone, praising Ye Jiahui for his good looks, personality, consideration, and thoughtfulness in bringing him the book. He Dun laughed, remarking how easily the professor was "bought off with a book," especially since there were "several copies in stock in the library near my place."
Sensing something amiss, He Dun pressed him for the specific bookstore where he encountered Jiahui. That evening, Professor Zhang visited Professor Ji for dinner, teasing him while helping him peel garlic. Noticing Professor Ji's manuscript, titled "Memory," Professor Zhang candidly advised him to "get a girlfriend," expressing admiration for his "love for her" and "persistence" but reminding him that the person he cared for disappeared "so many years ago," and "Her son's probably old enough to start his own family."
Professor Zhang urged Professor Ji to "let it go," emphasizing that he "can't wait for her forever." Professor Ji then asked if Professor Zhang had seen the son and where he lived, to which Professor Zhang replied he hadn't, but heard the son was "a good boy, a hard worker" and "studious." Later, Ye Jiahui arrived at He Dun's apartment seeking super glue to fix his music box. He Dun provided it and allowed him to repair it there.
Ye Jiahui tried to tell her about meeting Professor Ji at a bookstore, but He Dun revealed she already knew, adding that Professor Ji felt he owed Ye Jiahui "a big favor" for the book. Ye Jiahui downplayed it, saying it was "only a book." He Dun then noticed a cut on Ye Jiahui's chin, likely from the music box mechanism, and immediately fetched antiseptic to treat the wound, carefully disinfecting it as Ye Jiahui wincingly bore the pain. Just then, Qian Kaiyi walked in and witnessed the intimate scene, looking displeased.
