Depression

Depression

This is a condition characterized by long-term low mood, social withdrawal, physical discomfort, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbances. Individuals often feel suppressed, melancholic, and dejected, with a lack of interest in daily activities and a pessimistic outlook on the future. Past psychological trauma often dominates their thoughts, leading to lethargy and slowed mental processing, for which they may feel shame.

Cognitively, individuals may struggle with concentration, experience memory decline, and slow thinking. Self-esteem and self-confidence are diminished, leading to a negative self-evaluation where they often exaggerate their flaws and mistakes, feeling worthless, unloved, and blaming themselves. Behaviorally, actions become sluggish and listless, manifesting as passivity, dependence, and withdrawal from social interaction. In severe cases, there can be suicidal tendencies.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), depression falls into categories such as “Stagnation Syndrome” (郁证), “Zang Organ Restlessness” (脏躁), and “Plum-Pit Qi” (梅核气). TCM classifies depression into four main patterns: Qi Stagnation, Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, Heart and Liver Blood Deficiency, and Phlegm-Qi Stagnation.

Causes

1. Genetic Factors: Clinical research indicates a link to genetic abnormalities within the individual.

2. Triggering Factors: Major life events, whether sudden or prolonged, can cause intense and lasting emotional distress and pessimistic thinking habits, triggering depression.

3. TCM Pulse Diagnosis Perspective: Observations using pulse diagnosis instruments suggest that individuals with low energy readings in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians often exhibit depressive tendencies.

TCM Understanding

TCM believes that the root of depression is emotional injury leading to Liver Qi Stagnation (肝气郁结). The classic text Danxi’s Experiential Therapy states, “When Qi and Blood are in harmony, no illness can arise; once there is stagnation, all illnesses emerge.”

The progression of the illness is believed to start with Qi Stagnation. If untreated, it affects the Blood, leading to Blood Stasis. Over time, this imbalance can impact all five major organ systems (Heart, Spleen, Liver, Kidney, etc.), resulting in a complex mix of deficiency and excess symptoms. The Heart, being the “emperor” of the organs, is easily disturbed by emotions, which in turn affects the entire body.

From a modern perspective, long-term mental depression can lead to poor blood circulation and insufficient oxygen supply in the brain, reducing central nervous system activity. This results in psychosomatic symptoms of low vitality, such as poor digestion, loss of appetite, low libido, memory loss, and low mood.

Prevention

Since the fundamental causes of some types of depression are not fully understood, primary prevention is challenging. However, prevention efforts can focus on:

• Maintaining Physical Health: Treating physical illnesses and avoiding harmful lifestyles (e.g., substance abuse) can reduce the risk.

• Strengthening Psychological Resilience: Developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress and life’s challenges can prevent psychologically-triggered depression.

• Good Prenatal and Early Life Care: Genetic counseling and providing a healthy, supportive childhood environment are crucial for fostering a resilient personality and preventing predispositions to mental illness.