In my opinion, very few complementary therapies treat depression as successfully as acupuncture. This is mainly down to the deep complexity of the condition and how the symptoms vary from individual to individual. I’ve encountered patients whose moods are so black, they cannot dress, eat or function. Others can have extreme OCD, insomnia, paranoia, anxiety attacks and mania. Often people can experience all these symptoms in some degree and at different times.

In conventional medicine, there are a variety of treatments on offer including medication; cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy and counselling. Each of these choices have much merit and a combination of therapies can help an individual deal with the presenting condition and symptoms whilst addressing the deep underlying problem.

Acupuncture offers a truly holistic option as not only do the organ systems influence one’s health physically, it also has a huge effect on one’s emotions which is the reason that it is so sought after for conditions involving stress or addictions. In Chinese Medicine, each of the organ systems relates to particular emotions. For example, the Heart corresponds to feelings of joy and is partnered with the opposing feelings of anxiety and panic. Those people who find themselves overly maniacally joyful tend to fall into terrible nervousness and sensations of being in ‘flight or fight’. Similarly, the Liver is connected to growth and feeling free; it’s opposing side is excessive anger and frustration. This, as well as the Heart, is a common organ system where imbalance is common in those suffering from depression. Therefore, (in simple terms) the acupuncture prescriptions consist of points that will help to readdress these imbalances- whether there are excesses or deficiencies in these organ systems.

Other ‘substances’ are considered too. In very severe or long term cases, I have seen patients develop pronounced physical symptoms as a result of depression and it’s influence physiologically. In Chinese Medicine we would say that these symptoms are created from the generation of Wind, Heat and Phlegm.These terms would mean nothing to the layman but has great significance on diagnosis. Already mentioned is obsessive compulsive disorder, there are also migraines, insomnia, twitching of various parts of the body etc, and these are all associated with the production of these ‘pathogens’. Fortunately, these are all easily treatable with acupuncture and the adoption of certain lifestyle advice.

I have seen, first-hand, the benefits that this treatment can bring to someone who has been plagued with this debilitating illness. Alongside more conventional therapies, Chinese Medicine certainly has a lot to offer.

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