Anxiety & Depression

The emotional state of a person is a complex emergent property of the five viscera - Lung, Liver, Heart, Spleen, Kidney. Each organ system has a resonant field about it, which changes according to the functional state it is in. These resonant frequencies combined give rise to the phenomenon of the mind, which is mostly experienced in the brain, where the greatest amount of electrical activity takes place, but which is also commonly experienced elsewhere in the body according to the state of the emotions and the circumstances of one’s life (ex. fear is often experienced in the abdomen, grief in the chest).

The classic state described in traditional European medicine as melancholia and described today as depression relates to stagnation of the Liver and Gallbladder. The Liver is the organ of spreading and expanding; when properly functioning, the Liver governs the movement of energy to the four limbs and up to the head, it ensures the smooth movement of qi throughout the body, and it gives a healthy sense of ambition for achieving one’s goals in the future. When we are unable to pursue our ambitions in life, the Liver becomes stagnant. The Liver, furthermore, governs the nervous system; proper health of the Liver sees normal and regulated electrical activity in the body. In this way the Liver is the most related of all organs to the functional state of the brain. In a state of stagnation, the qi is obstructed and does not properly circulate, leading to a stifling sensation in the chest with difficulty getting a deep breath, cold limbs, disinterest in the future or in the outside world, and a general sense of apathy. This pattern is rectified primarily by physical activity. Simply doing some physical exercise every day for at least half an hour will often correct this disorder. If the problem persists even when this is tried, more invasive treatment modalities are employed such as herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, or massage.

The Lung is the organ which is responsible for respiration, and specifically exhalation. It is the virtue of the Lung to be physically capable of letting go of the breath as well as mentally capable of letting go of attachments. Depression stemming from the Lung is a resistance to the process of letting go, also called grieving. Any emotional process involving a resistance to loss or to change stems from compromise of the Lung Qi. Accompanying symptoms of Lung Qi depression include fatigue, malaise, shortness of breath, listlessness, superficial edema of the whole body, poor circulation, etc. Much like with the Liver, it is important to get outside and exercise to regulate this disorder. Doing some physical activity to increase the rate of respiration and break a light sweat will regulate the Lungs and help to rectify this problem. Spicy flavored foods are also helpful to resolve this type of depression, taking care not to consume too much of the extremely hot spices like peppers and garlic, but rather choosing spicy foods and spices with a more moderate temperature like curries, radishes, peppercorn, mustard, mint, etc.

Depression coming from the Heart is the classic state of heartbreak which stems from pure empathy for another. It isn’t rooted in selfish feelings of loss, nor in an objective sense of injustice, but it is pure compassion for another.

Anxiety rooted in a state of worry is a disorder of the Spleen, which is the organ which is responsible for digesting our physical as well as our psychological environment. If we are constantly mulling over an idea or a thought which we can’t integrate or come to terms with this may relate to state of Spleen Qi deficiency or dampness in the body, primarily treated with diet, herbs, and moxibustion.

An anxiety/depression pattern can be a mixed pattern or it may purely relate to one of the organs being in a state of congestion, deficiency, or disorder. The specific diagnosis is best narrowed down with a thorough intake including an evaluation of pulse and tongue.

Basic guidelines to improve mental/emotional state

• Exercise daily, preferably outside and not to the point of exhaustion

• Reorganize your house, move the furniture, paint a wall, or do something to change your environment

• Find something which you are passionate about and devote more energy to it

• Make a list of the things you are grateful for in your life and revisit daily (this one is important)

• Focus on doing things for others. Find people who need help and do what you can to support them.

• Get acupuncture regularly if you are feeling mentally or emotionally imbalanced. Acupuncture is excellent in resetting nervous system patterns and creating opportunities in the body for redefining mental patterns.