Huang's parents, residents of Huai'an City, were anxious about their son's single status as he approached 30. They firmly believed in the traditional saying, "first build a home, then start a career." Huang, however, felt that finding a partner should happen naturally.
Beginning in 2022, his parents began arranging blind dates, enlisting friends and relatives to find suitable matches and scheduling meetings.
Despite being busy with his startup, Huang attended several dates, but none were successful due to incompatibility or lack of connection. His attempts to explain his feelings were dismissed by his parents. Over three years, he endured over 20 blind dates, constantly hearing the refrain "don't be so picky."
The mounting pressure and internal conflict began to manifest physically last year. Huang experienced rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, a feeling of being suffocated, dizziness, and numbness in his hands. These panic attacks would last for about 10 minutes.
His condition worsened with the onset of bloating, acid reflux, nausea, and a sense of impending doom. Despite multiple emergency room visits, medical tests revealed no physical abnormalities.
The unexplained panic attacks left a lasting psychological impact. Huang became afraid to drive alone on highways and experienced a racing heart even when riding with others. Panic attacks struck unexpectedly, even while eating, causing difficulty breathing, numbness in his limbs, and cold sweats.
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27-year-old Huang is being treated for panic disorder at Huai'an No. 3 People's Hospital, 9/2025. Photo: CTWANT |
27-year-old Huang is being treated for panic disorder at Huai'an No. 3 People's Hospital, 9/2025. Photo: CTWANT
By early September, the frequency of his panic attacks increased to two or three times a day, disrupting his work and daily life.
He finally sought help at Huai'an No. 3 People's Hospital. Doctors diagnosed his condition as a form of psychosomatic illness, where prolonged psychological distress leads to physical symptoms. "When a person is under constant stress, the body reacts, causing symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and digestive problems, even though tests don't find any damage," the doctor explained.
Many conditions can arise or worsen due to psychosomatic disorders. The most common include digestive issues (gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome), circulatory problems (high blood pressure, heart attack), endocrine disorders (hyperthyroidism, diabetes), skin conditions (psoriasis, lupus), and others such as migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.
Huang is currently undergoing treatment with medication and therapy. Doctors say he needs time to process his emotions and stabilize his mental health before returning to normal life.
Minh Phuong (According to Ettoday, Worldjournal)
