Last week, a post broke out on the Chinese Twitter clone Sina Weibo about a young a man who hasn’t left his home in 6 years. The post, an impassioned plea for help, was written by the man’s father in hopes that someone could help his son return to his normal life.
The post on Weibo, picked up by Xinhua, explained 27 year-old “Xiao Jiang’s” sudden change of lifestyle. According to his father, Ye Yuming, in he suddenly quit his job and purchased a computer in 2007. Xiao Jiang supposedly then went on to play online games night and day, occasionally taking a break for food.
After a while Xiao Jiang’s “descent” into hermithood started to concern his father. Ye says that his son started to sleep all day and game all night, often forgoing meals. Xiao Jiang’s hygiene also took a sharp downturn; he would often wear the same clothes days on end and refuse to shower. On top of the weird hours and hygiene issues, Ye says that Xiao Jiang started to cut off communications with the family.
When the news broke out that Xiao Jiang had been holed up in his home for the last 6 years, reporters visited the Ye household in Hangzhou. Xiao Jiang seemed to be very much against talking to the reporters or his father, and when they attempted to go into his room, he grabbed a knife.
According to Xinhua’s psychological expert, Xiao Jiang may be suffering from certain psychological obstacles, obstacles that aren’t normally associated with online game “addiction.” Xinhua’s psych expert also said that Xiao Jiang’s unwillingness to talk to outsiders could be a form of extreme paranoia.
Whatever the case may be, let’s hope the guy gets some help.
27岁青年沉溺游戏6年足不出户 父亲微博求助 [Xinhua via Tencent]
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