Panic Disorder: Korean Medicine Treats the Root Cause
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Sudden, overwhelming fear
Without any clear reason, your heart suddenly races, you feel like you cannot breathe, and an overwhelming sense of "I am about to die" rushes in. This is a panic attack. In most cases, even a trip to the emergency room shows normal test results, and as the experience repeats, anticipatory anxiety — the fear that "another attack might come" — sets in and daily life becomes severely restricted.
How Korean medicine views panic disorder
In Korean medicine, panic disorder is often diagnosed as Heart-Gallbladder Deficiency Timidity (心膽虛怯) or Dual Deficiency of Heart and Spleen (心脾兩虛). The stabilizing function of the Heart (心) becomes weak, the decisiveness of the Gallbladder (膽) declines, and the patient becomes startled and fearful even with minor stimuli. In addition, when chronic stress causes qi to stagnate and produce phlegm-fluid (痰飮), this can cloud the Heart and disturb the spirit.
Treatment strategy
- Calming the spirit and steadying the will (安神定志): Prescriptions that stabilize the Heart and Gallbladder, such as Ondam-tang (溫膽湯), Guibi-tang (歸脾湯), and Jeongjisogong-tang (定志小公湯), are used according to the patient's constitution.
- Acupuncture: Stimulates points effective for autonomic regulation such as Baihui (GV20), Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), and Sanyinjiao (SP6).
- Breathing training: Diaphragmatic breathing combined with qigong movements stabilizes the circulation of qi.
- Lifestyle care: Limiting caffeine, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding excessive stimulation are all part of the plan.
Benefits of integrative treatment
When acute attacks are severe, combining conventional medication with Korean medicine treatment to address constitutional root causes is effective. Gradually reducing reliance on conventional medication while stabilizing the autonomic nervous system through herbal medicine and acupuncture can substantially lower relapse rates. Panic disorder is a condition that can improve significantly with the right treatment.