In a disturbing incident in China, a 20-year-old woman became a “stiff wooden person” after being scolded at her workplace.

The woman, identified as Li, is from central China’s Henan province. She suddenly became so unresponsive that she could no longer eat, drink, move or engage in conversation, according to a report by Chinese publication Hongxing News on Oct. 15.

The report said Li was reprimanded by her team boss a month ago, which led to her prolonged depression. Her condition worsened as the days passed, so much so that her head would hang in the air if her family removed the pillow from under her.

Her family has to remind Li to use the toilet because she can no longer pay attention to her physical cues.

Li’s doctor, Jia Dehuan, who works at the Eighth People’s Hospital in Zhengzhou, described her as a “wooden” figure who is no longer able to respond to her surroundings.

Jia explained that this strange state is known as catatonic stupor, which is a symptom of depression.

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In this sense, a person’s awareness of the world around them is disrupted, according to the Cleveland Clinic. When experiencing this condition, people may “react very little or not at all to their surroundings.”

Li’s introverted personality further worsened her condition as she struggled to open up around people. It seems that she recognized her situation and expressed a desire to manage her mood more effectively from now on.

Li’s case caused a stir on Chinese social media.

“She had tortured herself because of her boss’s actions,” one user commented on Douyin.

Another added: “If your job is too demanding, it’s better to leave than suffer in silence.”

A third observer noted, “I sometimes also feel work-related stress, but I can’t quit because it’s so difficult to find another job.”

A Chinese Psychological Society survey on workplace mental health found that up to 4.8 percent of Chinese employees experienced depression at work, according to the SCMP.

Nearly 80 percent of employees reported feelings of restlessness at work, 60 percent reported anxiety and nearly 40 percent reported symptoms of depression, according to Shangguan News last year.

(With contributions from agencies)