The Psychologist Episode 7 Recap
> The Psychologist Recap
Wen, agitated and holding a knife, was disarmed by Qian Kaiyi. She fell to the ground, and seeing Qian Kaiyi shielding He Dun, began throwing objects at He Dun, shouting, "Why are you all so mean to me?" She picked up the knife again, threatening to harm herself by cutting her wrists. He Dun immediately asked if Wen recognized her, to which Wen bitterly replied, "He Dun, the psychologist, the one who ruined others' families.
You're so famous, how could I not know you?" He Dun then approached Wen, who held the knife toward her, suggesting that if Wen truly despised her, she should expose her on the upcoming live radio show, ensuring everyone heard her accusations. He Dun added that Qian Kaiyi's new program was about to debut in minutes, and Wen surely wouldn't want its ratings to plummet from the start. Wen, her emotions gradually settling, agreed to He Dun's proposal.
The show, "Night Talk to Your Heart" on FM 99. 7, commenced as scheduled. Qian Kaiyi delivered an eloquent opening, introducing He Dun as a prestigious psychologist. The first caller was Wen, who immediately challenged Qian Kaiyi, questioning why he would choose "an expelled psychologist" as his partner.
Qian Kaiyi defended He Dun, explaining that the full context of online information is often missing, and he chose He Dun because of her belief that while suicide intervention has its limits, she aims to help more people escape their emotional struggles. Wen pressed He Dun, asking if she herself had "gotten out of the mire."
He Dun, recalling her childhood drowning experience, affirmed she had, asserting she would never fall into another, and expressed her belief that Wen was simply lost and capable of finding her way out. Wen grew agitated again, accusing Qian Kaiyi of abandoning her for He Dun. He Dun paused the live broadcast sound to ask Qian Kaiyi if he knew Wen, but he genuinely could not recall her.
He Dun gently engaged Wen further, learning that Wen sent Qian Kaiyi emails weekly but he had recently stopped replying. Wen felt abandoned and feared he had replaced her with someone else. Qian Kaiyi then recognized Wen as his devoted listener who regularly emailed him, apologizing and explaining that he had been preoccupied with preparing the new program.
He Dun observed Wen's pattern of dependent relationships that often ended in feelings of powerlessness and betrayal, but assured her this painful cycle could be broken. Qian Kaiyi also reiterated Wen's importance as a listener. Through their combined efforts, Wen's distress eased. Later that night, as He Dun arrived home, she encountered Ye Jiahui. Noticing a scrape on her arm from the earlier incident with Wen, he insisted on treating it. He Dun reluctantly followed him to his apartment.
While cleaning the wound, Ye Jiahui remarked on Wen's apparent "delusion of being loved and a bit of paranoia," noting that such self-consistent individuals rarely seek help. He quoted Emerson, suggesting that "each setback or detrimental mutation is with the same or greater beneficial seeds," and philosophized that "no harm, no heal," implying that psychological wounds must surface before healing can truly begin.
He Dun explained that she had referred Wen to another trusted counselor due to Wen's significant hostility towards her, which would have hindered an effective counseling relationship. After her wound was dressed, He Dun departed, declining Ye Jiahui's offer to walk her home, citing that Tang Lili would tease them. Meanwhile, the radio show became a trending topic, much to Qian Kaiyi’s delight, who promised a celebratory dinner for his team.
However, Qian Kaiyi was upset to discover Director Pan had been discussing ideas for his show with another psychologist, Ms. Wen, whom he saw as a potential rival. Director Pan dismissed it as a casual suggestion to inspire ideas and approved Qian Kaiyi’s show budget, diffusing the tension. The next day, Mr. Xun, a wealthy and image-conscious individual, harbored fears of having a terminal illness despite numerous medical examinations confirming his perfect health.
He suffered from feelings of restlessness, sleeplessness, and food tasting like sawdust. After consulting with various specialists and undergoing countless tests, he was told he was perfectly fine, leading him to wonder if he was "under a spell." His assistant, Bai, trying to comfort him, inadvertently called him a "psychopath" in his exasperation. Mr. Xun then contacted Professor Ji, a renowned psychology professor, describing his "friend" as "mental" and seeking help.
Professor Ji declined, explaining that their personal friendship constituted a dual relationship, which was unethical for counseling. He suggested Mr. Xun's "friend" consult a counselor first to determine if psychiatric expertise was required, and recommended He Dun. Reluctant to directly seek psychological counseling, Mr. Xun hired an imposter who resembled him to visit He Dun’s studio.
The imposter, receiving real-time instructions from Mr. Xun via phone, struggled to accurately portray his symptoms, only revealing Mr. Xun’s involvement in "charity" and his tendency to "fire people" for "goofing off." He Dun, recognizing Mr. Xun's car outside, invited him to come in person. Mr. Xun, acknowledging his initial distrust and the use of an imposter to test her, eventually confronted her directly.
She emphasized the confidentiality of their sessions and the necessity of his genuine engagement for effective treatment. Mr. Xun then described his specific discomforts: trembling, sweating, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, a sensation of dying, "white blindness," and feeling his "soul leaving his body." He Dun recognized these as classic symptoms of panic disorder, noting that these episodes typically last three to five minutes and are followed by exhaustion.
She reassured Mr. Xun that these experiences were not indicative of a physical illness or a terminal disease, and were common among a small percentage of the population, only becoming a problem when fixated upon with anxiety. Mr. Xun finally confessed the true source of his anxiety: his son, Xun Hao, had gone abroad against his wishes, leading to a severe estrangement.
His panic attacks intensified after a heated phone call with his son and worsened with the news of a global pandemic, fueling his constant fear for Xun Hao’s safety. He Dun then introduced a "family tray" with figurines, inviting Mr. Xun to use them to represent the important people in his life and explore the origins of his problem, starting with himself, represented by a black figurine, and his wife, Fang.
