Emotional Management
Anxiety & Depression
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. This may cause you to sweat, feel uneasy, tense, and nervous, and accelerate your heart rate. It may be a normal reaction to stress. For example, when encountering difficulties at work or before making important decisions, you may feel anxious.
Six signs indicating that you may have anxiety include:
-
Feeling uneasy, restless, or on edge
-
Being easily angered and irritable
-
Feeling fatigued easily
-
Difficulty concentrating or experiencing blank thoughts
-
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
-
Experiencing tight and tense muscles.
What is Depression?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), depression is commonly referred to as Yu Zheng (瘀证), which encompasses both the notions of "depression" and "stagnation". Stagnation, in this context, pertains to the obstruction of Qi flow throughout the body, believed to be a primary cause of most types of depression.
Globally affecting 5% of adults, depression manifests as persistent low mood, appetite loss, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, slowed movement, and susceptibility to tension headaches. Untreated stress may escalate, leading to chronic headaches and insomnia, accompanied by pessimistic thoughts, feelings of worthlessness, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation. Seasonal affective disorder primarily emerges in late fall or early winter, with less common occurrences in spring or summer.
Treatment for depression typically combines medication and psychotherapy, offering management rather than a definitive cure. Family and friend support are integral to the treatment process, aiding individuals in accessing appropriate care and achieving stability. Continuing support post-stabilization is crucial for individuals to reintegrate into society effectively. Professional assistance is recommended if experiencing any of the six outlined depression levels.
Six Types of Depression:
-
Major (or Clinical) Depressive Disorder
-
Persistent Depressive Disorder (or Dysthymia)
-
Peripartum or Postpartum Depression
-
Seasonal Affective Disorder
-
Bipolar Disorder (or Manic Depression)
-
Depression with Symptoms of Psychosis
Examples of Depression Types & Treatments
Menopausal Depression
Primarily affecting women, menopausal depression typically manifests gradually, initially presenting as general weakness, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, weight loss, and diminished interest in activities. Over time, symptoms intensify, leading to heightened feelings of depression, confusion, anxiety, irritability, and fearfulness, often accompanied by self-blame, guilt, and hypochondriacal thoughts. In severe cases, individuals may solicit sympathy and assistance from others, resorting to suicidal measures to alleviate suffering. Physical manifestations include weight loss, insomnia, refusal to eat, a haggard appearance, and symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Middle-aged men may also experience depressive symptoms due to declining testosterone levels. Work or social pressures may exacerbate symptoms, leading to depression, insomnia, cognitive difficulties, irritability, and self-loathing.
Treatment: The pathogenesis of menopausal depression typically involves deficiencies in kidney yang and yin essence. Treatment focuses on nourishing kidney yang to regulate endocrine function and supplementing kidney yin to address endocrine imbalances.
Geriatric Depression
Elderly depression, stemming from emotional distress and Qi stagnation, is attributed to disturbances in liver function, which affects emotional regulation. Concurrent deficiencies in heart and spleen function exacerbate symptoms, leading to a buildup of phlegm and further Qi stagnation.
Treatment: Geriatric depression is approached by addressing emotional discomfort and Qi stagnation. TCM views mental and emotional well-being as closely tied to the proper functioning of organs, particularly the heart and liver. When liver function is compromised and Qi circulation is disrupted, depression may manifest.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects approximately 19% of pregnant women, with 4.4% experiencing severe depression and 10% exhibiting mild symptoms. Auditory hallucinations, delusions, and other psychiatric symptoms may emerge three months after delivery, with postpartum psychosis affecting 2% of cases.
Symptoms include headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, emotional instability, frequent unexplained crying, diminished self-confidence, boredom with life, delusions, or suicidal thoughts. Mothers may experience conflicting emotions toward their children, oscillating between affection and resentment, with some exhibiting neglectful or harmful behaviors towards their infants.
Treatment: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), postpartum depression is understood as a manifestation of imbalances in the body's Qi and blood, often exacerbated by hormonal changes and emotional stressors associated with childbirth. By stimulating specific acupuncture points, particularly those related to the liver and spleen meridians, acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms of depression and promote emotional well-being.