Depression is categorised as a mood disorder. It is characterised by sadness and anhedonia - the inability to feel pleasure. It also affects sleep, appetite, fatigue and concentration.
The condition has been linked to a reduction in the ability to function and live a satisfying life. Untreated, it can even lead to suicide. Traditionally, depression is treated with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. However, Eastern medicine views and treats this illness in a different way. It is therefore worth finding out what the Chinese think about depression.
Depression as perceived by the Chinese
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. Approximately 280 million (3.8 per cent) people worldwide suffer from it. Women are more often affected than men.
The EZOP II study found that approximately 3.85 per cent (more than 1.2 million) of adult Poles suffered from depression.
In the Western world, antidepressants are used to treat depressive and anxiety symptoms. For mild states of depression they are recommended on a par with psychotherapy, while in more severe states they are the treatment of choice.
In contrast, Chinese medicine does not use the term depression to diagnose mood disorders. Such ailments are referred to as shen and emotional disorders, i.e. disorders at the level of our soul. In holistic terms, depression is the result of an imbalance, including emotional imbalance.
According to Chinese medicine, there is a correlation between the emotions a person experiences and specific illnesses. In a nutshell, it can be assumed that, according to its approach, the symptoms of depression have their cause in an imbalance in the liver, which is combined with the dysfunction of other organs and systems.
Genesis of depression according to Chinese medicine
Chinese medicine distinguishes five harmful emotions. These are:
- anger and rage
- excessive joy (excitement)
- grief and sorrow
- worry
- anxiety, fear and terror.
In a healthy person, they do not cause illness, last a short time and can be dealt with. However, if they appear suddenly and unexpectedly in a person with an imbalance of health, are of extreme intensity or last for a long time, they disrupt the flow of qi energy. They also disrupt the balance between qi and blood, and cause disharmony in the functioning of important internal organs, eventually turning into depression.
The Chinese believe that all harmful emotions affect the internal organs. Excessive joy and agitation harm the heart. anger and rage harm the liver, worrying harms the spleen, sadness damages the lungs and fear and trepidation harms the kidneys. This is because prolonging the duration of a particular emotion over time exploits the organ assigned to it excessively and its energy weakens, causing disharmony and, in time, depression.
According to the Chinese, depression arises due to various deficiencies in the Kidneys. They are a consequence of the disruption of the function Earth and Metal Element. When a person loses vision of his own future and does not know what to do, Metal feeds Water with contaminated energy. Over time, it causes anxiety, which often turns into depression.
Treatment of depression in Chinese medicine
The treatment of depression according to Chinese medicine focuses on the removal of shen disorders. This can be achieved by pricking the appropriate sets of acupuncture points to remove stagnant qi flow, strengthen weakened organs and harmonise all organs.
A 2013 scientific study by researchers at Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, confirmed the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for depression. The efficacy rate developed by the Jinan researchers for treating depression was 84.8% for drug treatment and 88.9% for acupuncture therapy.
The main treatment for depression according to the Chinese is to restore emotional balance. In addition to acupuncture, they suggest patients make lifestyle changes focused on meditation, yoga, aromatherapy and Chi Kung. At the same time, they recommend patients:
- relaxation techniques
- breathing exercises
- meditation
- qigong.
Drinking appropriate herbal mixtures can also be helpful.
One of the herbs used to treat depression is Chinese cordyceps. Its effects have also been confirmed by research by European scientists. According to these studies, the nucleoside adenosine triphosphate contained in the herb has neurotransmitter-like effects.
