Researches On The Theory Of Depression In Chinese Medicine

Depression is an important concept in the basic theory of Chinese Medicine, and depressive syndrome is very common in clinic. This article refines the depression theory in Chinese Medicine based on its historic origin and development.In Qin and Han Dynasty, the discussion on depression fully reflected Qi transformation, which included the nature, human body and the food. In Wei and Jin Dynasty, depression was related to the pathogenesis of diseases. In Sui and Tang Dynasty, the concept and category of depression were expanded and there were discussions on emotional depression as an etiological factor.In Song Dynasty, doctors put forward the corresponding prescription to treat the depression of Five Evolutive Phases and Six Climatic Factors. Diseases related to depression in medical books were greatly expanded. In Jin and Yuan Dynasty, doctors began to classify the human body's own depression and some physicians began to explore the nature of depression.In Ming Dynasty, doctors clearly defined the application scope of Five Depression, and there were different classification of depression. Emotional depression became an important content in medical books, and some depressive syndromes were named with Zang viscera and Fu viscera.In Qing Dynasty, doctors illustrated the Five Depression based on the nature of five elements, and applied creatively on the external treatment. The classification of depression was clarified and doctors discussed various diseases from depression.Through the historical research of literature, we can conclude that the connotation of depression is related with abnormal and unsmooth Qi movement. Depressive syndrome can appear in many diseases. The extension of depression contains the depression of nature, the depression of human body caused by the nature, and the depression of human body itself.The character of depressive syndrome's pathogenesis is unsmooth Qi movement, which is easy to turn to be fire. Depressive syndrome and deficient syndrome are reciprocal causation. It is very common for several kinds of depression existing at the same time in clinic.The pathogenesis of Zang viscera and Fu viscera depression are as follows, which are closely related with the function of Zang and Fu viscera. Five Zang viscera depression emphasizes on Qi depression, while Six Fu viscera emphasizes on abnormal digestion. Liver depression influence Qi movement first, and Blood, Fluid movement and digestion can be influenced later. Gallbladder depression is characterized by phlegm fire. Spleen depression influences digestion and Fluid movement. Stomach depression is characterized by stagnated Qi and food, which is easy to turn to fire. Lung depression influences body Fluid movement mostly, which can cause phlegm or influence blood movement. Large intestine depression always cause fire or turn to toxin. Kidney depression always influences Qi and Blood movement. Bladder depression causes Qi stagnation, which is easy to turn to heat or fire. Heart depression influences blood movement and mind. Small intestine depression is characterized by pain near umbilicus, upset, mouth and tongue sores.Emotional depression can influence Qi, Blood and Fluid movement of Zang and Fu viscera, which is very common for women. Anger is related to liver, anxiety cause spleen Qi stagnation, and melancholy consumes Qi.Qi, Blood and Fluid depression, Zang viscera and Fu viscera depression, meridians and collaterals depression, emotional depression are always influenced by each other, which should be combined in clinic.Therapeutic principles of depressive syndrome are regulating Qi, treating differently according to different reason, and adjusting emotion. Zang and Fu viscera depression can be treated with dissipating medicine, while the treatment for emotional depression is different. According to the doctrine of five elements, the treatment of liver and gallbladder depression can be facilitating the stagnant wood. The treatment of spleen and stomach depression can be eliminating the stagnant earth. The treatment of lung and large intestine depression can be purging the stagnant metal. The treatment of kidney and bladder depression can be draining the stagnant water. The treatment of heart and small intestine depression can be dissipating excessive stagnation of fire. The prevention of depressive syndrome is proper diet, daily life and emotion. Acupuncture can prevent human body from nature depression.In conclusion, depression theory in Chinese Medicine plays an important role in guiding clinic treatment. Hope this article can deepen doctors'recognition of depression and develop the treatment of depressive syndrome.