/ Health Concerns / Mental Health

Depression

Basics

Depression is both a clinical diagnosis and a symptom that encompasses various conditions, including manic depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and dysthymia.

Diagnostic Patterns

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), treating depression involves identifying the specific TCM diagnosis or pattern unique to the individual, rather than focusing solely on the general condition. Commonly used acupuncture points for treatment include Tongli (HT5), Yinbai (SP1), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Fenglong (ST40). Frequently prescribed herbal formulas include Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Wan, Ganmai Dazao Tang, Gui Pi Wan, and Xiao Yao Wan.

Acupuncture combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been shown to be superior to SSRIs alone, offering an early onset of action while being safe and well-tolerated (Chan 2015 – SR of 13 RCTs).

Additionally, acupuncture has proven effective and safe for major depressive disorder, particularly in enhancing sleep, mood, and quality of life by modulating and normalizing the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network (LPNN), including the default mode network (DMN), with "promising evidence" supporting its use (Bosch 2015 – Review of SRs & MAs). Furthermore, acupuncture has been found to be cost-effective compared to counseling or usual care alone, although the cost-effectiveness ranking may vary based on the relative expenses of these interventions (Spackman 2014 – cost-effectiveness analysis in one RCT).