Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!-Chapter 898 - 720: [Body Scan]—Rediscovering the Body

Capítulo 898: Chapter 720: [Body Scan]—Rediscovering the Body

However, even though the visitor just spoke about many recent changes in life.

Nan Zhubin only externalized the visitor’s behavior of “disassembling things”.

Because if the visitor’s questions are examined further, they all manifest the worsening of his condition. No matter how they’re interpreted, they would give negative feedback to the visitor.

It might actually hinder the consultation’s effectiveness.

In psychological consultation, as long as Nan Zhubin can make an accurate judgment about the visitor’s current situation through this information, and accordingly adjust the subsequent consultation plan, that’s enough.

Even if the visitor wants to delve deeper, Nan Zhubin should appropriately avoid the topic.

Thus, merely externalizing the negative impact of one issue with the least impact, and leaving the impression to the visitor that “the problems he currently has are not his own issues, but the issues of personality dissociation”, is sufficient.

The first phase of this consultation is considered concluded.

Next, the second phase of today’s intervention will begin—sensory anchoring and dissociation interruption training.

…

The core symptom of personality dissociation is “separation of body and consciousness”. Chen Lizhou’s main issue now is being in a “bystander” state for a long time, unable to perceive his body’s signals, unable to anchor reality, leading to repeated occurrences of dissociation, and unable to control it autonomously.

Directly letting the visitor feel the emotions of the body is too abrupt.

In this stage, Nan Zhubin plans to have the visitor first perceive the body’s signals—what changes occur when the body starts a dissociative reaction.

Then teach the visitor simple and easy-to-do interruption techniques, gradually rebuilding his sense of control over his own state.

Nan Zhubin smiled warmly: “Now we have clarified your issue—which is personality dissociation.”

“And we understand that the first thing you need to change is the ‘bystander’ state where you have little feeling about yourself.”

“Today, we are going to learn how to combat this state.”

“We need to learn to notice the dissociation state ourselves, and even interrupt it when it appears.”

Nan Zhubin spoke seriously, and Chen Lizhou listened seriously.

“What should I do?” Chen Lizhou asked.

Nan Zhubin smiled slightly and extended a finger.

“The first step, we need to find this ‘signal’.”

Nan Zhubin guided: “Let’s try to recall when you were disassembling and organizing your wife’s teaching aids on that day, and when you woke up in the morning but didn’t want to get up immediately, what feelings did your body have?”

Looking at the thoughtful Chen Lizhou, Nan Zhubin felt a little anticipation.

The most optimistic scenario is if Chen Lizhou becomes aware of his situation.

Nan Zhubin is also testing, if Chen Lizhou can recall, then all is well.

Unfortunately, after closing his eyes for about a minute, Chen Lizhou just shook his head: “I… can’t remember.”

Alright, the situation isn’t too ideal.

But Nan Zhubin also expected this.

“It’s okay, this is normal, personality dissociation itself weakens the connection between your body perception and consciousness, making it difficult to capture subtle bodily signals.”

“We shouldn’t rush; let’s take it step by step. Follow my instructions next—”

Nan Zhubin smiled and said, “Let’s start a progressive body scan.”

…

The progressive body scan is a core psychological technique derived from mindfulness-based therapy, a systematic exercise of internal awareness.

Body scan requires practitioners to guide their attention orderly and slowly like a radar scan, inch by inch, over their whole body, starting from the toes, gradually moving up to the head, or vice versa.

The core of this process is not to change or judge any bodily sensation, but to simply perceive the current experience of each body part with a curious, accepting attitude. Thus, it trains people to detach from complex thought activities and reconnect deeply with the body, the most direct sensory field.

Body scan is most commonly used for interventions in sleep disorders, or anxiety management and emotional regulation.

Besides psychological treatment, exercises like yoga, free diving, etc., related to fitness and sports competitions, also incorporate body scanning to help practitioners enhance their perception and control of their bodies.

…

Now, the visitor needs to strengthen his physical perception.

Nan Zhubin guided: “First, choose a position that is most relaxed for you.”

Unfortunately, this consultation room doesn’t have a double sofa, otherwise Nan Zhubin could let the visitor lie down directly.

However, a single sofa suffices.

Following Nan Zhubin’s guidance, Chen Lizhou leaned his forward body back, adjusted his sitting posture, placing one hand naturally on the sofa’s armrest and the other on his thigh.

The body is still a bit tense, but that’s okay.

Nan Zhubin’s voice became light and gentle: “Next, close your eyes, first focus your attention on your breathing.”

“Feel the slight rise of the abdomen as you inhale, and slow descent as you exhale; no need to control your breathing, let it be natural, first gently let your awareness settle on your body.”

“Exhale—Inhale—”

“Exhale—Inhale—”

Nan Zhubin closely watched the rise and fall of Chen Lizhou’s chest and the expansion and contraction of his nostrils.

“Exhale—Inhale—”

“Exhale—Inhale—”

After Chen Lizhou’s breathing began to adjust to a stable frequency following Nan Zhubin’s guidance.

“Alright, our breathing is gradually stabilizing. Imagine now, let our attention become like a focusing lens. Now we no longer focus on breathing.”