Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are conditions characterized primarily by pervasive and persistent anxiety or recurrent episodes of panic and distress, often accompanied by autonomic dysfunction and motor restlessness. Clinically, they are mainly classified into generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “yu bing” (depression syndrome), “zheng chong” (palpitations), “shi mian” (insomnia), “shan wang” (poor memory), “bai he bing” (lily disease), “bei die” (low spirits), and “zang zao” (visceral agitation), among others. Panic attacks fall within the category of “jing ji” (fright palpitations), among others.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Emotional unease, low mood and irritability, or impatience and irritability; headache, red eyes, a red tongue, yellow coating, and a wiry or wiry and rapid pulse
In plain language:
- Mood may feel unsettled, with low spirits and irritability, or impatience and irritability.
- Headache and red eyes, which may look noticeably bloodshot.
- The tongue may appear red, with a brighter, vivid color.
- The tongue coating may be yellow.
- The pulse may feel taut like a drawn string, or tense and somewhat rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Course the Liver and relieve constraint, clear Liver heat and drain fire, regulate qi and harmonize the middle
In plain language:
- May help soothe Liver qi and relieve constraint, easing discomfort such as distension in the chest and flanks, low mood, or frequent sighing.
- May help clear heat from the Liver, easing symptoms such as dizziness, red eyes, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, or irritability.
- May help regulate qi and harmonize the middle burner, easing discomfort such as chest tightness, belching, poor appetite, or abdominal distension.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations, including zheng chong palpitations; restless sleep; a dark-red tongue with purple stasis marks along the edges or spots on the tongue surface; dusky purple lips or dark discoloration around both eyes; a choppy or wiry-tight pulse
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pound or beat rapidly, and sleep restlessly at night, waking easily.
- The tongue may be dark red, with purple stasis marks along the edges or purple spots on its surface.
- The lips may look dusky or purple, or the area around both eyes may appear dark.
- The pulse may feel rough or sluggish, or tense and tight.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Invigorate the blood and dispel stasis; regulate qi and unblock the channels
In plain language:
- May help promote blood circulation and resolve stasis, easing signs such as bruising, pain, or menstrual irregularities.
- May help regulate qi and unblock the channels, easing discomfort such as distension in the chest and flanks, numbness in the limbs, or joint pain.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Panic and distress, agitation, a red tongue, yellow greasy coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse
In plain language:
- You may feel panic and distress.
- You may feel agitated and unsettled.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be yellow and sticky.
- The pulse may feel slippery and somewhat rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and transform phlegm, calm the Heart and quiet the spirit
In plain language:
- May help clear internal heat and resolve phlegm, easing discomfort such as thick phlegm, chest tightness, nausea, or throat discomfort.
- May help calm the spirit, easing signs such as palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, being easily startled, or feeling unsettled.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Wanting to eat but being unable to; wanting to lie down but being unable to; wanting to walk but being unable; a red tongue with a slightly yellow coating and little moisture; a fine, rapid pulse
In plain language:
- You may want to eat but be unable to do so.
- You may want to lie down and rest but be unable to settle.
- You may want to get up and walk but find you cannot.
- The tongue may appear red, with a slightly yellow coating and a dry mouth with little saliva.
- The pulse may feel fine and somewhat rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the Heart and Kidneys, clear heat, and calm the spirit
In plain language:
- May help nourish yin of the Heart and Kidneys, easing discomfort such as palpitations, forgetfulness, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, or ringing in the ears.
- May help clear deficiency heat and calm the spirit, easing signs such as agitation, insomnia, vivid dreams, being easily startled, or dry mouth and throat.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and dizziness, easily frightened and fearful, fatigue and weakness, poor appetite, a pale tongue with a thin coating, and a fine, weak pulse
In plain language:
- You may experience palpitations and dizziness.
- You may be easily frightened or anxious, and feel scared with little provocation.
- You may feel tired and weak, with little energy for activities.
- You may have a poor appetite and little desire to eat.
- The tongue may appear pale, with a thin coating.
- The pulse may feel fine and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Enrich the blood and strengthen the Spleen, calm the Heart and relieve anxiety
In plain language:
- May help nourish the blood and support Spleen function, easing discomfort such as a pale complexion, fatigue, shortness of breath, or poor appetite.
- May help calm the spirit and ease worry, easing signs such as palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, vivid dreams, or emotional unease.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and timidity, easily frightened and startled, mental confusion, restlessness whether sitting or lying down, a thin white or normal tongue coating, and a deep or deficient-wiry pulse
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and be timid or easily frightened.
- You may startle easily, even at a sudden noise or movement.
- You may feel mentally unsettled and have trouble concentrating.
- You may feel restless and uneasy whether sitting or lying down.
- The tongue coating may be thin and white, or appear generally normal.
- The pulse may feel deep, or weak but tense.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Settle fright and stabilize the mind, calm the Heart and quiet the spirit
In plain language:
- May help ease alarm and restore a sense of calm, reducing discomfort such as being easily startled, feeling unsettled, or having vivid dreams and waking easily.
- May help calm the spirit, easing signs such as palpitations, insomnia, irritability, or mental unease.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Emotional unease, restless agitation, insomnia, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, heat in the palms and soles, a red tongue, thin coating, and a fine or fine, rapid pulse
In plain language:
- Your emotions may feel unsettled, with a sense of inner turmoil.
- You may feel agitated and have difficulty sleeping at night.
- Your lower back and knees may feel sore, achy, and weak.
- Your palms and soles may feel hot.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be thin.
- The pulse may feel fine, or fine and somewhat rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish yin and clear Heart heat, nourish the brain and calm the spirit
In plain language:
- May help nourish yin and clear Heart heat, easing discomfort such as agitation, thirst, insomnia, vivid dreams, or heat in the palms and soles.
- May help nourish the brain and calm the spirit, easing signs such as forgetfulness, dizziness, palpitations, emotional unease, or unstable moods.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Michael T，Margraf J. Epidemiology of anxiety disorders[J]. Psychiatry，2007，6(4)：136-142.
- Ma X，Xiang YT，Cai ZJ，et al. Generalized anxiety disorder in China: Prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, xomorbidity, and suicide attempts[J]. Perspect Psychiatr Care，2009，45(2)：119-127.
- Collaborative Group for the Epidemiological Survey of Mental Disorders in 12 Areas. Epidemiological survey of neuroses in 12 areas[J]. Chinese Journal of Psychiatry，1986，19(2)：87-91.
- Su Liang，Cai Yiyun，Shi Shenxun，et al. Meta-analysis of the prevalence of anxiety disorders among older adults in China[J]. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry，2011，21(2)：87-90.
- Devane C L，Chiao E，Franklin M，et al. Anxiety disorders in the 21st century: status, challenges, opportunities, and comorbidity with depression[J]. American Journal of Managed Care，2005，11(12)：344-353.
- Tang Qisheng. Foundations and Clinical Practice of Anxiety Disorders in Chinese and Western Medicine[M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House，2013.
- Tang Qisheng. Diagnostic criteria and treatment plans for TCM patterns of anxiety disorders[J]. Journal of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine，2011，34(12)：810-811.
- Tang Qisheng. Annotations to the TCM Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: Qi, Blood, Body Fluids Volume[M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine，2017.