Shocking! The school heartthrob who was adopted by a wealthy family is actually a heiress!

Chapter 194 Many People Are Sick
Qin Zhao did not choose to use the medicine directly.

In addition to gastrointestinal reactions, headaches, nausea, insomnia/agitation, and other side effects, triserline also has potential side effects such as slowed thinking and emotional dullness.

She seems to have a hard time suddenly admitting that she is sick and has reached the point of needing medication.

Lin Jianwei agreed to let her postpone the medication, think it over, and give her an answer at the next treatment. She also told her that she could contact her anytime if she had any questions.

After Qin Zhao learned about the drug, he asked her, "After taking the drug, you will feel happy for about 6 weeks. At that time, is it me who is happy, or is it the drug that regulates my serotonin levels to make me happy?"

Lin Jianwei: "These types of drugs do indeed help brain nerve cells transmit signals more effectively by regulating the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin."

But it's not about "creating" happiness, but rather about repairing the physiological foundations that may have been out of balance, such as neurotransmitter dysfunction caused by long-term stress or genetic factors.

Just as glasses help you regain clear vision, the joy of "seeing beautiful scenery" still belongs to you.

Ask yourself: "After taking medication, are my emotional reactions to the same event closer to how I envision myself?"

Qin Zhao: "If it's my own emotions, then what does the backlash after stopping the medication represent?"

“You have raised a very crucial question that touches on the complex relationship between drugs, the brain, and the ‘self-healing ability’.”

From a physiological perspective: this is not a "backlash," but rather a "readaptation."

When medication regulates neurotransmitter levels over a long period, the brain gradually adapts to this state, much like how a person who exercises regularly needs time to readjust when they suddenly stop training. Mood fluctuations after stopping medication are often part of the brain's process of rebuilding its regulatory balance.

Even if there are withdrawal symptoms, they usually subside within 2-3 weeks.

Lin Jianwei answered in detail: "Of course, if a good psychological mechanism is not established through psychotherapy or self-growth during this period, this so-called backlash may actually be the exposure of the original problems."

The feeling of "backlash" you described may reflect this deep-seated contradiction:

Ideal self: I hope to maintain stability without relying on external forces;
Real self: My brain needs assistance to function properly.

This tension is essentially the same issue as the dilemma faced by nearsighted individuals regarding whether or not they should continue wearing glasses.

Lin Jianwei: "I will help you reduce the discomfort and side effects that may occur during this process through medication control and psychotherapy."

“You just mentioned your ideal self,” Qin Zhao repeated. “If emotions are produced by biochemical reactions, taking these medications will restore my serotonin levels to normal, so I can perceive normal, positive emotions.”

If we attribute all of this to our ideal self, then is the current me wrong? What's the fundamental difference between relying on drugs to maintain a positive mood and taking drugs to achieve a state of happiness?

Lin Jianwei paused for a moment. Qin Zhao was sometimes too clear-headed. She could clearly observe her trauma and distinguish between the defensive and ideal states formed by the trauma. This metacognitive ability was an important resource for recovery. But at the same time, it could also develop into paranoia and suffering.

"Your question touches on some of the most controversial core issues in psychiatry, psychology, and ethics. Let's analyze this complex myth from multiple perspectives."

First, these two mechanisms of action are fundamentally different. The former is neurotic regulation, because your organic damage already exists. It doesn't create abnormal pleasure, but rather regulates emotions within the normal range.

Addictive drugs directly hijack the brain's reward circuitry, leading to the effect of subsequent natural pleasurable stimulation.

As for what you said, are you wrong now? The vigilance and defensiveness formed by trauma may have protected you in the past environment.

But when it develops into a state of constant physical tension, continuously draining your mental energy, even when there's no danger, it transforms from a survival skill into self-imprisonment. Adjusting to this state is liberation, not betrayal.

"The third question concerns medication-assisted mood versus 'natural' mood. We don't question the real vision that nearsighted people obtain with glasses. Why demand absolute naturalness from mood-regulating drugs?"

"These questions ultimately point to whether medication will change the real me. Which is closer to the me I want to be: the me damaged after trauma or the me that recovers with the help of medication?"

After Lin Jianwei finished speaking, Qin Zhao was silent for a few seconds: "Are these problems of mine also symptoms of illness?"

"On the contrary." Lin Jianwei smiled gently. "This philosophical anxiety itself proves the complexity and integrity of your mind. Metacognitive ability is also a major driving force for recovery."

"The key issue you are struggling with."

I. Autonomy vs. Dependence: "If I need medication to regulate my emotions, does it mean I've lost control of my own mind?"

However, it is important to note that what may truly be out of control is the obsession with 'absolute autonomy'—like a fracture patient who refuses to use crutches, which actually prolongs the period of limited mobility.

II. Trauma Identification vs. Fear of Growing Up:

"If I let go of the caution shaped by trauma, will I lose the ability to protect myself?"

In reality, true psychotherapy never deconstructs defenses, but rather helps you gain the freedom to choose whether or not to use them.

III. Biochemical Determinism vs. Free Will: "If emotions are merely chemical reactions, what meaning do my pain and pleasure have?"

But the meaning lies precisely in how you interpret these chemical reactions.

"Your problem is not a pathology, but an inevitable stage of deep self-reconstruction."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Jianwei unconsciously wrote a few words in her notebook: "Experiencing pain but full of vitality."

She recalled a sentence Qin Zhao had said during his psychological counseling session.

She said, "Dr. Lin, do you know? There may be many people in this world who are sick. But they start to get sick on the day they are diagnosed."

Lin Jianwei leaned back in his chair, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest. Qin Zhao.

—

As agreed, Lin Jianwei only revealed part of the information when Qin Qiong and Lin Zheng questioned him: "I have obtained your daughter's written authorization and can only disclose information that she has consented to. Currently, she has authorized that the scale shows mild distress."

But as a medical professional, I feel it's my responsibility to remind you that this is only one part of the evaluation.

Qin Qiong and Lin Zheng knew exactly what she meant. When they received the report, the doctor had warned them that her subjective score would be lower than her actual score.

After interpreting the report in a neutral light, Lin Jianwei advised them not to ask Qin Zhao about psychological details and to participate in weekly trauma-informed parenting classes.

Qin Zhao: Dr. Lin, is this how you made that agreement with me?

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(End of this chapter)