Hello, this is Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.

Today, I would like to talk about depression in a slightly different way. Many consultations begin with expressions such as feeling down, not wanting to do anything, or not wanting to meet people... but in reality, there is a much more complex language of the body contained behind those words.

1. Heavy mornings and long days – Lethargy and Fatigue

“I don't feel refreshed even after sleeping.”

“Waking up in the morning is like a war.”

There are many people who start with these words. A heavy body is not simply a problem of 'lacking strength.' It is a state where energy is not circulating. In Korean medicine, such cases are interpreted and divided into 'Qi deficiency' and 'Qi stagnation.'

Qi deficiency: A state where energy is depleted, and the entire body feels limp.
Qi stagnation: A state where energy is present but is blocked and stagnant in the middle.

Herbal medicines such as Bojungikgi-tang and Hyangsa-yukgunja-tang do not simply eliminate fatigue, but help break through this blocked flow so that energy can circulate again. Acupuncture treatment restores the center of energy at points such as Zusanli and Zhongwan.

2. Nights where it is hard to fall asleep and frequent awakenings – Insomnia and Autonomic Nerve Dysfunction

“I feel sleepy, but I keep waking up.”

“I feel dazed and lethargic even after waking up.”

In these cases, it is not simply a lack of sleep, but that the body is unable to transition into a state of stability. The mind wants to rest, but the nervous system is still awake. This is the irreversible tension of the autonomic nervous system.

In such cases, prescriptions like Sanjoin-tang, Gwibi-tang, or Cheonwangbosim-dan are helpful in calming the mind and body. Points such as Neiguan, Shinmun, and Sanyinjiao lower the sympathetic nerve activity. While herbal medicine and acupuncture act in different ways, they complement each other to help restore the rhythm of the night.

3. Chest tightness and palpitations – Anxiety and Breathlessness

“I don't have stress. But my heart keeps racing and my chest feels tight.”

When I hear these expressions, there are many cases where the patient does not consciously recognize the stress. It means the body is reacting first. In Korean medicine, there are concepts such as 'Dam-ul' (phlegm stagnation), 'Simdam-heogeop' (heart and gallbladder deficiency fright), and 'Gi-yeok' (rebellious Qi).

It is a state where thoughts are not present, but emotions cannot escape and become trapped somewhere in the chest, throat, or diaphragm. Representative prescriptions include Banha-hubak-tang and Ondam-tang, and acupuncture treatment focuses on 'releasing' through points such as Indang, Danjung, and Taechung. Breathing must accompany this. For those who find it difficult to breathe deeply, the treatment cannot penetrate deeply.

4. Loss of appetite and frequent bloating – Anorexia and Digestive Issues

Depressive feelings often start in the stomach. Rather than feeling down, it may be expressed as 'feeling like the inside is completely blocked,' 'feeling more uncomfortable after eating,' or even 'not feeling hunger.'

Concepts such as Qi deficiency, Liver-Qi invading the Stomach, and Phlegm accumulation are involved here. For example, Hyangsa-yukgunja-tang is good for adding strength to the stomach, and Soyo-san is a prescription to release the pressure of emotions on the stomach. Banha-sasim-tang readjusts the rhythm of the stomach that has been disrupted by reflux and tension. These problems are not solved by medication alone. True improvement occurs when the timing of eating, breathing, and stress responses are all adjusted.

5. Correlation between female hormones and emotions – Menopausal and Pre/Post-menstrual Depression

A woman's emotional state is sensitively linked to hormonal changes. Menopause, pre- and post-menstruation, postpartum depression... during these periods, emotions fluctuate, and tears fall even over trivial matters. In Korean medicine, the primary pathologies are Kidney deficiency, Liver-blood deficiency, and Liver-Qi stagnation.

Prescriptions such as Jwagwi-eum, Ongyeong-tang, and Bogansin-je are specialized in tuning this rhythm, and points such as Shinyu, Taegye, and Gwanwon become the core of treatment for governing the roots of the body.

6. Depression is not a problem of emotion, but a problem of flow

Now we must be able to say this: “The problem is not the depressed mood, but a state where emotions are not circulating.” Korean medicine is a way of unraveling this blocked flow. Headaches, insomnia,

Indigestion, fatigue... rather than viewing these separately, we see them as problems connected in a single flow and focus on restoring that flow.

While psychotropic drugs may have limitations in managing the rhythm of the entire body, herbal medicine and acupuncture have their own unique language and methods for restoring this rhythm.

Depression does not occur because of a weak will. The body collapses first, and emotions follow. Therefore, there are many moments when treatment that supports the body and restores the flow is more necessary than medication that simply lifts the emotions. This is the approach of Korean medicine, which has dealt with human emotions using a language older than the term "depression."

#Depression #Anxiety #Insomnia