Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Mental Health and Mental Illness



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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Mental Health and Mental Illness

4/19/21 Tai Chi Acupuncture & Wellness Center

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, (TCM)

MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Lalou Begue, LAc, Herbalist

Introduction:

In the classic literature of Traditional Chinese Medicine it is very clear that the spirit or mind (Shen) was a central element of general health. The spirit is not seen as a distinct, separate entity from the body, but as an extension of the human form. The characteristics of a healthy spirit are a clear mind, peaceful, joyful, calm and loving. In the west, for centuries “madness” was seen as a sign of possession by evil spirits. In modern times we talk about “mental illness”, even though we know that the disorders that it evokes are clear signs of an organic dysfunction of the brain. The treatment approach of modern psychiatry is, off course, medication oriented, but more recently, the concept of neuroplasticity has helped develop new disciplines such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Biofeedback. Acupuncture has been demonstrated to affect the chemistry of the brain but also promote new neurological pathways and disrupt pathological patterns.

1) Depression

According to the National Institute of Health:

“Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one’s ability to carry out major life activities.”

“A period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, and had a majority of specified symptoms, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth.”

The NIH reports the following numbers for 2017:

An estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults.

The prevalence of a major depressive episode was higher among adult females (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%).

The prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (13.1%).

The prevalence of a major depressive episode was highest among adults reporting two or races (11.3%).

Depression is treated with medications that increase the availability of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine…). They usually take a few weeks to be effective, and patients have different ways to metabolize them, so it may take different trials to find a medication that works well and is well tolerated by the patient. This could be avoided by doing routine genetic testing. We all inherit genes that encode the production of certain enzymes that break down medications. Some of us are genetically programmed to break down antidepressant medication in different ways, that is why they do not work the same way in all of us. In fact studies show that maybe 30% of patients do not respond to any of these types of medications.

Possible adverse effects include: increase is suicidal thoughts, or even scuicide attempts. This is more common in younger patients. Other side effects include weight gain, constipation, dry mouth.Too much serotonin can cause Serotonin Syndrome or Serotonin Toxicity.These medications should be taken under the care of an experienced Physician and should be discontinued carefully, on a safe taper.

There are different scenarios under which a patient might consider either acupuncture or herbs or a combination of both. For example at the onset of depression, one might consider trying those before the antidepressant drugs. Also, when a woman wants to become pregnant, and would like to discontinue her medication. It should also be considered when the patient is still symptomatic while on an antidepressant.

Depression is often accompanied by anxiety, sleep or eating disorder. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine can address these symptoms.

Acupuncture affects the nervous system by inducing relaxation. It triggers an immediate shift in the autonomic nervous system from the “fight or flight” state to the “rest and digest” phase. It affects many different chemicals in the brain, not only dopamine and serotonin but endorphins, enkephalin and dynorphin. It lowers blood pressure, decreases anxiety and facilitates sleep.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used also for hormonal related mood disorders. They help symptoms of PMS, PMDD, postpartum depression, perimenopausal symptoms (insomnia, hot flushes, memory problems.) These symptoms are not due to a serotonin disorder but to the sensitivity of the central nervous system to changing levels of estrogen-progesterone ratios. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are very effective in addressing these constellations of symptoms.

2) Anxiety, panic attack:

Mental health providers have in recent years changed their treatment approach for anxiety disorders, since the major class of drugs used for anxiety (benzodiazepines) has been shown to have significant risk of being abused, and to be significantly addictive. In numerous recent studies, they have been shown to increase cases of dementia. Many patients who have been prescribed this class of drugs for many years, are told that they need to be taken off them because of these risk factors.

When discontinuing intake of benzodiazepines, the patient is at risk for seizures. They often experience increased anxiety, sleeplessness. Acupuncture, herbs can alleviate these symptoms, and make the transition much easier. Because of its ability to decrease anxiety TCM can help patients suffering from OCD and phobia.

3) Psychosis:

In China, where TCM is practiced widely in hospital settings TCM is used in the management of psychoses, but western drugs are the first line of treatment because of the amount of sedative effect required in those cases. Acupuncture can be a very important tool in the management of bipolar illness, specifically during the depression phase, to prevent a manic episode. There is a risk for these patients to build up to a manic phase and often at this time, they stop taking their

medication and become fully manic with often devastating consequences for themselves and their families

Conclusion:

If you, or someone you know, suffer(s) from any of these symptoms, while on medication or not, know that we are just one phone call away! We can provide you with a different approach to help you with your health issues.

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