Anxiety Basics

Anxiety Basics

“There is peace even in the storm”

Vincent Van Gogh
Anxiety in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

There are 3 main “diseases” which correspond to anxiety.

  • Fear and Palpations
  • Panic Throbbing
  • Rebellious Qi of the Chong Mai

“Fear and Palpations”:

A state of fear, worry, and anxiety often accompanied by palpations (an uncomfortable awareness of the heart beating)

Caused by external events (such as social interactions, loud noises, etc.) The symptoms tend to come and go based on external events.


“Panic Throbbing”:

A state of fear, worry, and anxiety often accompanied by a throbbing sensation in the chest or solar plexus area.

Not caused by external events (such as social interactions, loud noises, etc.) The symptoms are more or less constant.


“Rebellious Qi of the Chong Mai”:

A series of mental and physical symptoms occuring within a short period (similar to a panic disorder.) Common Symptoms Include:

  • Cold feet
  • Fullness, bloating, or pain that runs from the lower abdomen up through the belly button, solar plexus, and chest. (Often described as “adrenaline surges”)
  • Palpations of the heart
  • Breathlessness
  • Feeling of lump in the throat
  • Feeling of heat in the face
  • Headache
  • Anxiety or “mental restlessness”
Treatment Options in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Traditional Chinese Medicine views anxiety in a similar way to Western Medicine, that is that anxiety is often classified as either primarily a problem of the mind or a problem in the body although here is where the similarities end.

In Chinese Medicine the state of the mind always takes priority in the case of anxiety. According to this perspective; Anxiety is always related primarily to the heart (referred to throughout this blog as the “self aware/conscious brain”) and only secondarily to the liver (referred to throughout this blog as the “thinking/emotional brain”) and kidneys.

It is worth noting that the kidneys which are often used to describe the overall state of the physical body are listed as only 1 of 3 contributing factors to anxiety which really emphasizes that the brain (self aware/conscious and thinking/emotional) are more important when it comes to treatment of anxiety.

While there are only 3 main “diseases” corresponding to anxiety in Chinese Medicine each of these 3 can be triggered for more than 1 reason and therefore each requires its’ own specific treatment. This is similar to the idea of different types of medications in Western Medicine being used to treat different types of hormonal and chemical imbalances.


Each different imbalance of the mind or body in Chinese Medicine can be treated through a variety of different therapies including:


All of these will be discussed seperately in future posts with a special emphasize on:

  • Each type of imbalance, common signs and symptoms so you can get a clearer picture of where you fit
  • Treatment options for each with a focus on what you can do at home starting today and where you might find help from a healthcare professional most beneficial
  • Interviews with other specialists in their field and what suggestions they have to share for coping with and overcoming your anxiety.
  • Interviews with others who are either currently suffering with or have overcome their anxiety. What worked and didn’t work for them and their stories.

Wishing you a life of unparelleled joy and acceptance!

David


Where To Next?

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