Anxiety and anxiety-related complaints
Fear is a normal response to threat, uncertainty or tension. The body becomes more alert and prepares to deal with a possible threat. Also concerns about work, health or an important event belong to some extent in daily life.
Fear becomes more problematic when it is present for a long time, is disproportionate to the situation or will limit daily functioning. The symptoms can be both mental and physical. Besides worrying, nervousness or a sense of threat, for example, palpitations, breathlessness, tense muscles, dizziness and sleep problems may occur.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in addition to anxiety symptoms. Not only the fear itself, but also for example tension, sleep, energy, digestion and physical restlessness.
Common symptoms
Anxiety symptoms may vary considerably. Possible symptoms include:
- persistent or difficult to stop worrying;
- nervousness, restlessness or feeling tense;
- a quick startle or constant alertness;
- anxious thoughts or the feeling that something may go wrong;
- difficulty concentrating;
- irritability;
- bad sleep or restless sleep;
- palpitations or an accelerated heart rate;
- chest pressure or breathlessness;
- trembling, sweating or dizziness;
- tense muscles;
- nausea, abdominal discomfort or changes in stool.
In case of panic attack, physical and mental symptoms may suddenly increase significantly. For example, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, trembling, tingling and a strong fear of losing control or something serious may occur. Fear of a new attack can then ensure that certain situations are avoided.
Western disorders that can prevent anxiety
Fear is not automatically an anxiety disorder. In case of anxiety disorder, the symptoms are usually stronger or longer and affect daily functioning. Fear can also be part of other psychological or physical complaints.
Examples are:
Generalised anxiety disorder;
Panic disorder;
feline social anxiety disorder and specific phobias;
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
OCD;
Depressive complaints or burn-out;
feline hormonal changes, for example around menstrual periods or transitions;
feline physical disorders that may cause agitation, palpitations or other anxiety-like symptoms.
Certain medicines, drugs, a lot of caffeine and stopping alcohol, benzodiazepines or other medicines can also cause or strengthen anxiety problems. For new or strong anxiety symptoms it is therefore important to include possible underlying causes.
Possible causes
Fear complaints are usually caused by a combination of factors: hereditary predisposition, previous experiences, physical health and actual circumstances can all have an impact.
Possible triggering or entertaining factors are:
long-term stress, anxiety or emotional stress;
• a major event, loss or trauma;
long-term overload and exhaustion;
Insufficient sleep and recovery;
feline hormonal changes;
long-term pain or other physical symptoms;
protamine caffeine, alcohol, drugs or certain medications;
It is necessary to avoid situations that cause anxiety.
In case of severe, recurrent or restrictive anxiety symptoms, assessment by a general practitioner or psychologist is important. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used as an additional treatment.
How can acupuncture help with anxiety?
Not everyone experiences fear in the same way. One is focused on tension, worry and irritability, while another is mainly experiencing palpitations, exhaustion, sleep problems or panic. Acupuncture treatment is therefore tailored to the overall picture.
Depending on your symptoms, treatment may be directed at:
Reduce physical stress and support relaxation;
Relax the Shen in the event of anxiety, worry and inner restlessness;
To improve the flow of Qi when stress and emotions are difficult to unwind;
Support sleep when fear and night-time restlessness reinforce each other;
Supporting Qi and Blood when anxiety is associated with fatigue and exhaustion;
Odour Yin nourishment and restless heat reduction in for example night sweats, heat and restlessness;
Reduce Dampness and Phlegm when anxiety is associated with mental fog, dizziness or indigestion;
The circulation of Qi and Blood is improved by prolonged stagnation.
The treatment can be adjusted if the symptoms change during the course.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with anxiety?
Chinese herbs are also chosen on the basis of the underlying TCM pattern. Therefore, someone with anxiety, fatigue and palpitations can get a different herbal treatment than someone who has fear associated with strong restlessness, warmth and poor sleep.
Depending on the pattern, herbal treatment may focus on:
Calm down the Shen and support mental and physical rest;
Reduce tension and promote the free movement of Qi;
To supplement blood and Qi in case of fatigue and exhaustion;
Okay, okay.
Reduce Dampness and Phlegm in case of heaviness, dizziness or mental fog;
Olanzapine stimulate the circulation of Qi and Blood in long-term stuck complaints.
Chinese herbs can offer daily between treatments by support and are adapted if necessary to changes in the grievance image.
Possible interactions are taken into account in drug use. Prescription medication, including antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication, is not adjusted or withdrawn without consultation with the treating physician.
How does Chinese medicine view anxiety?
Within the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), not only does one look at what one is afraid of or concerned about, but above all at how fear is physically and mentally expressed.
Two people with the same Western diagnosis can therefore be treated differently according to TCM. For example, one is constantly tense and can hardly let go of thoughts. Another feels especially uncertain and quickly overwhelmed, while another suffers from palpitations, exhaustion, warmth or strong physical restlessness.
Fear within TCM is not simply seen as one emotion that always belongs to one organ system. Long-term anxiety, anxiety, sadness, frustration, shock and other emotional stress can affect different body functions and ultimately cause different patterns.
The Heart organ system plays a central role. Heart is connected to the Shen, an understanding of mental and emotional functions such as consciousness, brightness, inner rest and sleep. When the Shen does not get enough rest, for example anxiety, restlessness, palpitations and sleep problems can arise.
The Liver, Spleen, Kidneys, Lungs and Gallbladder may also be involved. The Liver is important for the free movement of Qi and therefore often plays a role in tension and frustration. The Spleen is involved in the formation of Qi and Blood and may be relevant when excessive worry accompanies fatigue. The Kidneys may play a role in deeper feelings of fear and prolonged exhaustion. The Lungs may be involved when anxiety accompanies grief, breathlessness or chest tension. In TCM, the Gallbladder is associated with courage and decisiveness, among other functions.
A recognizable combination of physical and mental complaints is called a TCM pattern. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture and forms the basis for treatment.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns
Liver-Qi-stagnation
Brief explanation
With Liver-Qi-stagnation, the free movement of Qi is less flexible. Fear often coincides with stress, frustration and feeling constantly under strain. If this stagnation remains present for longer, TCM Heat may occur, which can increase the anxiety and irritability.
Common symptoms
Nervousness, peaking, irritability, mood swings, lots of sighs, feeling tense on the chest or in the abdomen, neck and shoulders and poor sleep. In addition, heat may also prevent a warm feeling, headache, dry mouth, red eyes or a bitter taste.
Examples of Western disorders
Anxiety symptoms associated with long-term stress or burn-out and anxiety symptoms that clearly increase around hormonal changes, for example with PMS or the transition.
Heart- and Gallbladder-Qi-deficiency
Brief explanation
According to TCM, there is insufficient stability to calm the Shen. The fear often has an uncertain or fragile character. Someone can easily be scared and struggle to feel secure or make decisions. This pattern can be constitutionally present but also arise after prolonged illness or exhaustion.
Common symptoms
Being anxious or insecure quickly, easily frightened, embarrassment, indecision, lack of self-confidence, palpitations, light or restless sleep, lots of dreams and fatigue.
Examples of Western disorders
Long-term anxiety complaints where uncertainty and fear are at the forefront and certain phobic or generalised anxiety symptoms.
Heart- and Spleen-Qi- and Blood deficiency
Brief explanation
Long-term peaking, overload, illness, inadequate recovery or blood loss can lead to a shortage of Qi and Blood according to TCM. As a result, the Shen gets insufficient nutrition and stability. Fear often coincides with obvious physical and mental fatigue.
Common symptoms
Fear and worry, quickly overwhelmed, fatigue, palpitations, concentration or memory problems, mild or dream-damaged sleep, dizziness, low appetite and sometimes a pale radiant pain.
Examples of Western disorders
Anxiety symptoms after prolonged overload or illness and anxiety associated with obvious exhaustion. Even after prolonged or significant blood loss, a similar TCM image may occur.
Heart- and Kidney-Yin-deficiency
Brief explanation
Yin stands within TCM for, among other things, rest, cooling and recovery. When Heart and Kidney-Yin are insufficient, relative Heat can arise which makes the Shen difficult to unwind. The complaints are often stronger when someone is tired and can become clear especially at night and at night.
Common symptoms
Fear with inner restlessness, poor sleep, regular awakening, palpitations, night sweats, warmth in the evening or night, hot flushes, dry mouth or throat, dizziness and sometimes ringing in the ears.
Examples of Western disorders
Fear related to the transition, after prolonged stress or overload and symptoms of anxiety associated with insomnia, heat and dryness.
Phlegm-Heat disturbs the Shen
Brief explanation
Within TCM, Phlegm not only refers to bodily slime. It can also describe a pattern in which physical processes and mental brightness are clouded. When Phlegm joins Heat, the Shen can be strongly stimulated, giving fear a hunted, restless or sometimes panicky character.
Common symptoms
Strong anxiety or panic, restlessness, palpitations, restless sleep and many or intense dreams, mental mist, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, chest pressure or tightness, nausea, reflux or feeling full in the abdomen.
Examples of Western disorders
Fear and panic symptoms involving severe physical restlessness associated with sleep problems, mental mist or digestive problems.
Heart-Blood stasis
Brief explanation
In case of prolonged stress or chronic complaints, the circulation of Qi and Blood may become more and more stagnant. When Blood stasis affects the Heart and Shen, anxiety and restlessness can become persistent. This pattern can also play a role when anxiety is associated with prolonged pain or after physical or emotional trauma.
Common symptoms
Severe anxiety or restlessness, insomnia or early awakening, palpitations, mood swings, feeling emotionally stuck and persistent or stabbing pain, for example on the chest or elsewhere in the body. The symptoms can be more apparent at night or at night.
Examples of Western disorders
Long-term anxiety symptoms combined with chronic pain and certain long-term or post-traumatic anxiety symptoms.
Outlook
The course of treatment depends, among other things, on the nature, cause, severity and duration of the anxiety symptoms, the underlying TCM pattern and any other psychological or physical complaints. Relatively recent onset of anxiety symptoms after a temporary period of stress may be different from an anxiety disorder that has been present for years.
In the initial phase, one acupuncture treatment per week is a common guideline. In case of acute or strong complaints can be treated temporarily twice or three times a week. When the symptoms become more stable, the frequency can be reduced gradually. Chinese herbs can be used daily between treatments when appropriate. The duration and frequency always depend on the individual situation.
Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can play an important role in anxiety disorder. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can also be used. Sleep, movement, relaxation and the reduction of factors that enhance anxiety can also be part of a broader approach.
Contact
Do you regularly experience anxiety, restlessness or panic and want to know if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit your symptoms?
During a first consultation, we will discuss your complaints, medical history and factors such as sleep, energy, tension, emotions and possible physical complaints. Based on the overall picture of complaints, we will examine which TCM pattern is likely to be at the forefront and which treatment fits in with it.
You can make an appointment directly online or contact us for more information.