Anxiety and Depression

Most people experience a short term episode of sadness, hopelessness or frustration at least once in their lifetime as a normal and human reaction to challenges and extraordinary happenings. Anxiety by itself belongs to the normal range of human emotions and might be a mere expression of “the blues”. Some people however have to cope with this mental burden even for several years. They worry and fear constantly causing such an overwhelming distress that it interferes with the person’s ability to lead a normal life. This is referred to as anxiety disorder, which is a serious mental illness of the brain.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. affecting 18% of the population, whereof women are twice as likely to develop it as men. Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by depressions. "Very often, we find that people have more than one condition – both depression and anxiety disorder" says Charles Goodstein, MD a professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine. In a NIMH funded study researchers proved that more than 40 percent of people suffering from a specific form of anxiety disorder also developed a depression.
You are definitively not alone. Around 5% of the worldwide population are affected by anxiety and depression - a disease that can be easily and successfully cured. Oriental Balance can accompany you on your way to ease the mental pain and restore your energy and joy of life.

What Causes Anxiety and Depression?

• The post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stems from a terrifying event, violent assault, military combat, accident or a natural disaster
• Often triggered by life events such as financial -, relationship -, and family problems
• In general, the exact cause for anxiety disorder is largely unknown. But it is not the result of poor upbringing or personal weakness
• Mostly caused by a combination of factors including changes in the brain and environmental stress

What Are the Benefits of TCM?

• Soothes the liver and clears the liver qi stagnation
• Harmonizes the interdependent functioning of heart and kidney
• Revitalizes your energy levels
• Improves sleep
• Non-toxic nature of treatment
• Holistic treatment plan for body, mind & lifestyle

How Does TCM Solve these Mental Problems?

In Western Medicine a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants are usually prescribed to treat anxiety disorders or depressions. In 2010 antidepressants were the second most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. However, in most cases it only suppresses the symptoms and can turn into a dangerous toxic medication when used in the wrong place.

TCM practitioners on the contrary believe that physical health conditions are strongly connected to a person’s emotional state and vice versa. Emotions are an integrated part of our organ functions and often the root cause of any disease. The liver is the dominant organ that is responsible for governing our emotions. When too much anger prevails in our daily life, the liver overheats and the qi becomes stagnant. Long term negative emotions also badly influence the interdependent functioning of the heart and the kidney reproductive system. As shown in the Chinese Five Elements Theory the liver is tied to anger, the spleen to excessive worry, the kidney to fear, and the lung with grief and anxiety. A disturbance in one or more of these organs can cause an imbalanced emotional state.

Chinese medicine will be prescribed by your body type and customized depending on your health condition. Chinese herbs help your body to restore the balance in your organs and to overcome mental pain. The prescription can be modified, allowing to tailor your treatment to your conditions and needs. Common herbs:

• Augmented Rambling Powder (加味逍遙散)
• Decoction for Removing Blood Stasis in the Chest (血府逐瘀湯)
• Decoction of Licorice, Wheat & Date (甘麥大棗湯)

Oriental Balance’s Tea Recommendation

Chen-Pi Tea - Feel light and energetic!

Life’s pressures can get at us in all sorts of ways. By starting with your body and bringing yourself back to balance, you’ll have the strength to deal with anything. Chenpi Tea works to strengthen the digestive system, liberating water from the body and helping to digest excess fat.


Ingredients:

• Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)
• Citron (Citrus Medica)
• China root (Poria)
• Job’s Tears (Semen Coicis)

Chinese Sleeping Tea - Sleep your way to Health!

Chinese Sleeping Tea contains active herbal ingredients that work to nourish and sooth key internal organs, and regulate the flow of energy. Unlike aggressive sleep-inducing medicines, these natural ingredients work to see you through to the morning, so you can rise with an energized body and a peaceful mind. Getting rested should be effortless- as effortless as making a cup of tea!


Ingredients:

• Spine Date Seed (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae)
• Lilium (Lilium Longiflorum Thunb)
• Lotus seeds (Nelumbo Nucifera)
• Bitter Orange

The Chinese Five Elements Theory
The Five Elements Theory contains five categories - wood, fire, earth, metal, and water - each including internal organs, emotions, color, taste, etc. It teaches us how the structures and systems in our body are related and linked to each other, how we are connected to our environment, nature and to greater universe.


What are the symptoms of Anxiety?
Symptoms can be as severe as they interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life.
Emotional symptoms:

• Feelings of panic, fear and uneasiness
• Disturbed sleep
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Poor concentration

Physical symptoms:

• Sweating
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Palpitation
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Cold and sweaty hands/ feet
• Muscle tension and aches
• Trembling and twitching

What are the different forms of anxiety?

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Specific phobias
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorder
• Social phobia

Contact us for an appointment with our TCM practitioners

Grace Yu
service@orientalbalance.com