tech10 The Theory & Practice of Source Acupuncture

 The Tenth Scroll -
. . . . . . . Indications

Mental Disturbances
The Western Syndromes

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
The Western Medical Viewpoint

The following descriptions cover only the most essential characteristics of these disorders which are often complex and require significant study to understand.

PERSONALITY DISORDERS

A patient with a personality disorder has developed behavior patterns that are inappropriate to the actual circumstances of their life. Because of this, they have serious difficulties in personal relationships and job performance. Treatment is often unsuccessful because the person feels they have no problem. There are several common types :

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1. Antisocial Personality ("psychopathic") - Appears to be charming, attractive, and personable but actually has little sense of responsibility. They may engage in criminal activity or drug abuse without feelings of guilt or remorse.

2. Avoidant Personality - Has a strong need for approval, but fear makes them shy and lacking in self-esteem. As a result, they may avoid social relationships and become isolated.

3. Borderline Personality - Impulsive, unstable, manipulative and self-destructive. They see the world in absolutes ("black or white") and tend to blame their inner feelings on others. They may also be confused about sexual identity.

4. Compulsive Personality ("obsessive-compulsive") - Appears confident, conscientious, & businesslike, and may actually be highly valued in occupational settings. However, they tend to be overly concerned with details and lack the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

5. Dependent Personality - Clinging, self-conscious, with low self-esteem.

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6. Histrionic Personality ("hysterical") - Needs to be the center of attention. They may change moods easily to pursue this goal. They may be highly reactive to any perceived criticism.

7. Narcissistic Personality - Either overemphasizes or devalues personal accomplishments and lacks empathy for others. Such patients are completely focused on themselves.

 

8. Paranoid Personality - Responds to the environment with suspicion and hostility, projecting inner feelings onto others.

9. Passive-Aggressive Personality - Appears helpless and clinging ("passive"), but actually feels resentful, stubborn and angry ("aggressive"). They often intentionally make mistakes and perform activities that cause trouble.

10. Schizoid Personality - Suspicious and withdrawn, lacking normal emotional responses and usually is thought of as eccentric. They prefer fantasy to interpersonal relationships.

 

AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

A patient with an affective disorder experiences a serious mood change. The two most common types are depression and bipolar disorder :

DEPRESSION - Feelings of overwhelming sadness and worthlessness.

In addition, they may have difficulty concentrating, low sexual desire and suicidal thoughts. There may also be fatigue, disturbed sleep, significantly altered activity levels (either decreased or increased) and appetite changes. Acute depression be-comes chronic if it lasts more than two months.

BIPOLAR DISORDER - Severe mood changes between mania and depression; this disorder was formerly called "manic depression."

The mania phase produces feelings of euphoria, restlessness and talkativeness as well as an inflated sense of self-worth. During this phase, the client may have little need for sleep, experience racing thoughts and engage in risky activities. During the depressive stage, there is a loss of self-esteem with feelings of inertia, hopelessness, sadness and fatigue. Sleep patterns may also be disturbed. Suicide is a common end result.

 

ANXIETY DISORDERS

ANXIETY STATE - Involves feelings of great apprehension, often as a result of an unacceptable thought or feeling approaching consciousness.

Acute anxiety (a "panic attack") often displays chest pains, palpitations, difficulty breathing, choking or smothering sensations, dizziness, faintness and a feeling of unreality. There may also be shaking, hot or cold flashes and a fear of going crazy, dying or losing control. The symptoms are short-lived.

Chronic anxiety (a "generalized anxiety disorder") displays signs and symptoms of anxiety for more than a month. There may be restlessness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, increased or decreased appetite, concentration problems and fatigue. Physically, the client has excessive or unusual perspiration, pins and needles in the hands and feet, a dry mouth, frequent and difficult urination, rapid breathing, flushing, diarrhea or constipation, trembling and headaches.

 

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

PTSD shows significant anxiety as a result of having gone through an event that inspired fear, helplessness, and loss of control. Emotional trauma is the cause. The original feelings are so powerful and difficult that they are repressed. Anxiety arises when these memories begin to return to consciousness. Symptoms include insomnia, nightmares, emotional numbing, anxiety, rage, guilt, depression, phobias, or suicidal thoughts. Impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, relationship problems and substance abuse may also occur.

 

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

A patient with OCD experiences recurrent thoughts ("obsessions") and impulses to perform specific actions ("compulsions"). S/he may feel strong inner resistance to the obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, so the inability to stop them inspires great anxiety.

 

Psychosis

The word, psychotic, is a legal term meaning, "Dangerous to themselves or others."

 

PARANOIA

PARANOIA – The patient feels that others are plotting against them. They may try to avoid unacceptable feelings by projecting them onto other persons. The client then believes that these people are dangerous or undesirable, because they represent these projected emotions.

Note: It is not Paranoia is they are really after you.

 

SCHIZOPHRENIC DISORDERS

A schizophrenic disorder involves the inability to distinguish reality from fantasy There are several forms, including:

SCHIZOPHRENIA - A significantly decreased ability to think, plan and relate to other people. They may also have visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions, increased or decreased activity levels and/or violent tendencies.

 

CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA - The patient is in a coma-like state, even though their eyes are open, for lesser or greater periods of time, during which he or she does not respond to external stimuli.

PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA – The patient feels that others are plotting against them and they act out this scenario in another reality. These people can be very dangerous. Over 50% of the 625 inmates of San Quentin’s "death row," have (at one point in their lives) received the medical diagnosis of "Paranoid Schizophrenia."

 

 

Shen Disturbances
Oriental Spirit Distress

 

Shen ..is our conscious spiritual connection maintained in the midst of life.

The category of disease/disorder that deals with malfunctions of consciousness is called :

Shen Disturbances

This includes most of the Mental and Emotional Disorders listed above under "The Western Syndromes," especially when consciousness itself is fragmented or disoriented.

The signs and symptoms of Shen Disturbance include:

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Restlessness

• Incoherent speech

• Delusions of Grandeur

• Palpitation

• Chest Pain (especially in the back)

 

 

Jing Disturbances
Oriental Will Deficiency

 

Jing is our spiritual potential or destiny.

The category of disease/disorder that deals with malfunctions of potential is called :

Jing Deficiency
There is no problem with "Excess Jing" as there is no such condition

This includes Genetic and Developmental Disorders, as well as "Neurasthesia" and other forms of burn-out or nervous-breakdown, especially when "Development" or "Will" itself is diminished or depleted.

The signs and symptoms of Jing Deficiency include:

• Lack of Will

• Lack of Reserve Energy (the so-called "burned-out adrenals" syndrome)

• Uncoordinated nervous system (ataxia)

• Pain, ache, or weakness in the "waist" or lower back

• Decline or demise of sex drive

 

 

Qi Disturbances
Oriental Breath Discord

 

Jing and Shen interact to produce Qi.

Qi is our dynamic kinetic potential.

The category of disease/disorder that deals with malfunctions of dynamic energy is:

Qi Deficiency

We refer here to a lack of immediate "get-up-and-go" energy due to Jing and Shen interacting in an unbalanced manner

The signs and symptoms of (Source) Qi Deficiency include any Qi Disorder that is accompanied by signs and symptoms indicating an underlying or predisposing Shen Disturbance or Jing Deficiency.

 

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