Treatment was weekly for the first two weeks, then every two weeks.
At a glance
Severe depression lifted, and the patient returned to a happy and productive life.
Presentation
A 26-year-old patient had been offered a place at a good university but had to give it up because she couldn’t get out of bed for classes. When she came to the clinic she was enrolled in a pre-employment trades program, but severe depression kept her lying in bed all the time. She couldn’t even get up in the morning to brush her teeth or have breakfast.
Diagnosis
In TCM terms, her depression was caused by severe Yang deficiency and leakage of Yang energy. Yang represents heat, movement and functional activity. When Yang is deficient, the body acts like a sluggish engine or a pilot light that is going out and can’t function properly.
Treatment
The patient faints from needles, so acupuncture wasn’t an option. Treatment used ear seeds and herbal medicine instead:
- Ear seeds — Dr. LiChun Huang’s auricular medicine combination for depression
- Herbal medicine — Huan Hun Tang, a formula that can tonify Yang and stop the leakage of energy
Result
She became happy and positive, and had the energy to get up in the morning to attend classes and co-op jobs. She even began organizing social gatherings with her friends and volunteering at community charity events.
Additional notes
This reflects an individual patient experience, not clinical trial data.
Results vary from person to person depending on the condition, its severity, and how an individual responds to treatment. TCM and acupuncture are not a substitute for care from your physician or another regulated health professional. If you’re dealing with a serious or urgent symptom, please see a doctor first.