Depressive disorder is manifested by mental dejection, reticence or incoherent speech, while manic disorder is characterized by shouting, restlessness and violent behaviors. As described in Classic Medical Problems, depressive disorder is caused by excessive yin, while manic disorder by abundant yang. The most important etiological factor of manic-depressive disorder is emotional injury. Pathogenetically, phlegm plays the primary role. Depressive disorder is due to stagnation of phlegm combined with qi, while manic disorder is due to phlegm fire. Although they are different in symptomatology, they are related to each other. A prolonged depressive disorder, in which fire is produced by phlegm stagnation, may change into manic disorder, while a protracted fire is gradually dispersed, but the phlegm still exists and can change into depressive disorder. Therefore, they are termed together as manic-depressive.
Etiology and Pathogenesis:
Depressive disorder:
In most cases, it is caused by overcontemplation and emotional depression, which lead to dysfunction of the liver and spleen. There are stagnant liver qi and accumulated fluid due to impaired transportation, which turns into phlegm. Then the phlegm pervertedly goes upward to invade the mind.
Manic disorder:
In most cases, it is caused by anger that injure the liver, leading to its failure in dispersing. The stagnated qi transforms into fire, which evaporates the body fluid to produce phlegm fire. The phlegm fire pervertedly rushes upward and disturbs the mind.
The condition described here includes the depressive and manic types of schizophrenia in modern medicine.
Manic-Depressive disorder can be treated with Acupuncture and Herbs.
For more detailed information or to ask questions, please contact Dr. Jeon at Jun’s Acupuncture Clinic by calling 661-799-7369.