Part 1: The relationship between our body and mind

One in five (20%) Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depressive, anxiety and substance use disorder. https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/default-source/factsheets/facts_figures.pdf?sfvrsn=10

Some reports suggest the leap in technology has lead to the emotional crumbling of Australia!  The insatiable desires for consumption product, such as a better car, more advanced technology from TV or mobile phones to stay connected have attributed to these disorders.

Mental disorder can affect people in difference aspect of their life. It can reduce their performance at work and cause negative effects in their relationship with their love ones. Taking medication is not the solution as it comes with the side effect; therefore, some people turn to Chinese Medicine as an alternative.

Chinese Medicine always treats the body and mind as a whole with a holistic approach. Its philosophy believes that body and mind are link together. In Chinese medicine, our mind (all cognitive activity) referred as “Shen”.  Shen is stored in the heart, to keep the mind function properly, Shen in the heart needs to be nourished and embraced by the bodies other organs. If the energy of other organs is low and fails to nourish the heart, Shen will be disturbed.  In practice, we will treat the mental disorder by making a balance between the organs.  For example, hypothyroid patients often feel depression.  The diagnoses often could be spleen deficiency. A Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor will use either Chinese herbs or Acupuncture to upgrade the spleen function and aim to nourish the heart- Shen, therefore, the heart can function better, then Shen is alert, the depression may be improved.