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As the pressures of life and work continue to increase, we are gradually paying more attention to our mental health, especially as issues like depression and anxiety have become common problems. So, how does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view this issue?
TCM often refers to the “Seven Emotions” (七情, qī qíng), which typically include joy (喜, xǐ), anger (怒, nù), worry (忧, yōu), thought (思, sī), sadness (悲, bēi), fear (恐, kǒng), and shock (惊, jīng). Emotional disturbances can lead to dysfunction in the organs and the flow of qi (气, qì). Factors that can cause these emotional disturbances often include social factors, such as family changes and interpersonal relationships; pathological factors, such as deficiencies in the qi and blood of the five organs; as mentioned in the Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经), “If the heart qi is deficient, one will feel sad; if it is full, one will laugh incessantly,” indicating that a deficiency in heart qi can lead to sadness, while excessive heart fire can lead to excessive laughter.
In addition, environmental factors, such as seasonal changes and geographical variations, can also affect a person’s emotions. The ancient saying “sorrow in spring and sadness in autumn” reflects how seasonal changes can influence human emotions. Clinically, it is observed that the incidence of depression increases in the autumn and winter seasons. Furthermore, individual differences, such as personality and age, are also significant factors that modern medicine pays attention to.
So how do the Seven Emotions—joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and shock—affect our bodies?
JoyHarmsThe Heart
Joy represents a pleasant, positive, and uplifting emotion. Joy can relax the qi, alleviating tension. When one experiences genuine joy, the circulation of qi and blood accelerates, leading to a rosy complexion and a harmonious state of mind, which enhances work and study efficiency and creates a more harmonious life.
The heart opens to the tongue and is connected to the small intestine. When we are happy, we tend to talk a lot and have a good appetite. However, excessive joy can harm the heart meridian, potentially leading to insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations, and fatigue. The character Fan Jinzhongju is a typical example of someone whose heart qi becomes scattered due to excessive joy.
AngerHarmsThe Liver
Anger is a normal physiological response in humans. Anger has both positive and negative aspects; appropriate anger can express emotions, boost morale, and relieve tension. For instance, soldiers may feel anger before going into battle, which can transform into tremendous fighting power. However, excessive anger can also harm the body, leading to depression, flushed face, dizziness, tinnitus, breast tenderness, bitter mouth, and even fainting.
The story of Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu is a classic example; Zhou Yu died due to excessive anger combined with previous injuries.
ThoughtHarmsThe Spleen
The emotional activity of thinking is primarily expressed through the spleen. TCM believes that excessive thinking can lead to qi stagnation, resulting in loss of appetite and tasteless food. Since the spleen governs blood, some women may experience menstrual irregularities due to excessive stress or overthinking. Additionally, the spleen is responsible for transformation and transportation; when its function is impaired, clinical symptoms may include abdominal distension and loose stools. Over time, insufficient qi and blood circulation can lead to symptoms such as palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, and vivid dreams.
Moreover, excessive thinking can lead to low mood, decreased ability to understand and solve problems, reduced speech, lethargy, sighing, feelings of helplessness, and insomnia, dizziness, chest tightness, palpitations, and decreased appetite, which are manifestations of depression.
SadnessWorryHarmsThe Lungs
Sadness and worry refer to emotional responses when people lose what they love or when their wishes are unfulfilled. Mild and short-lived sadness is a normal emotional release and does not harm health; however, excessive sorrow can deplete lung qi. After crying heavily, one often feels fatigued, which is a sign of lung qi depletion.
The lungs belong to the metal element, governing the dispersal and descending of qi. When faced with uncertainties about the future, love, or fate, people may feel worried and sad. Clinically, this can manifest as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and pallor. Excessive sadness and worry can lead to a lack of will, low spirits, pessimism, social withdrawal, and fatigue. Overly crying can lead to hoarseness and rapid breathing, and since the lungs govern the skin, it can also lead to increased facial wrinkles.
In the novel “Dream of the Red Chamber,” the character Lin Daiyu suffers from lung disease and ultimately dies due to excessive sadness and worry, which depletes her lung qi.
ShockFearHarmsThe Kidneys
Shock and fear are psychological responses to perceived threats to safety, leading to heightened mental tension and fearfulness. This state can persist for a certain period after the triggering event.
The kidneys belong to the water element and govern the intake of qi, as well as the regulation of urination. Fear is directly related to the kidneys. In real life, we often hear stories of people who wet themselves out of fear; this is because excessive fear can scatter kidney qi, impairing its ability to hold, leading to incontinence.
The kidneys are the foundation of congenital health. Frequent late nights, excessive fatigue, and overconsumption of alcohol or strong tea can harm the kidneys, leading to symptoms such as dark complexion, frequent urination, lower back pain, and diarrhea in the early morning.
All of these abnormal manifestations can be categorized under the TCM concept of emotional disturbances causing disease. The fluctuations in emotions can disrupt the functions of the five organs, and similarly, TCM can help restore balance in the qi, blood, yin, and yang of the organs, leading to both physical and mental health.
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Review Editor:LiTonghua
EditorialTeam:ZhangKun
Source:Beijing Anding Hospital
SubmissionEmail:[email protected]