Anxiety Disorder

Q Can anxiety disorder go away completely, or do I have to manage it for life?

A. Rather than eliminating anxiety entirely, building the ability to function alongside anxiety is a more realistic and sustainable goal.

Q I have anxiety disorder and suddenly my heart pounds and I feel like I'm going to die. Is this panic?

A. Panic attacks are diagnosed separately from GAD; you should first check for heart abnormalities, then assess whether panic disorder or depression accompanies it.

Q Is there something I can do right away when anxiety rises?

A. The 4-7-8 breathing technique and abdominal breathing immediately activate the parasympathetic nervous system and can calm the anxiety response within 3-5 minutes.

Q Does exercise really help with anxiety? What kind of exercise is good?

A. Studies show that aerobic exercise three or more times a week eases GAD symptoms to a level comparable to anti-anxiety medication.

Q I'm pregnant and my anxiety is very severe. Can I take herbal medicine?

A. Anxiety during pregnancy can affect the fetus if left untreated, so treatment is needed, and prescriptions can be made centered on herbs with confirmed pregnancy-safety grades.

Q I have anxiety disorder and thoughts of wanting to die. Can I still receive Korean medicine treatment?

A. When suicidal thoughts are present, immediate referral to psychiatry is the top priority, and Korean medicine treatment is combined as a supportive therapy after stabilization.

Q Can I take herbal medicine while taking an SSRI (anti-anxiety medication)?

A. Combining SSRIs with herbal medicine theoretically requires consideration of serotonin syndrome risk, so you must always tell your Korean medicine doctor what medications you are taking.

Q I've taken sedatives (benzodiazepines) for a long time and want to stop. Can Korean medicine help?

A. Benzodiazepine tapering must always be done gradually under a doctor's guidance, and Korean medicine treatment can help support relief of withdrawal symptoms during the taper.

Q Can anxiety disorder be completely cured with treatment?

A. GAD tends to respond well to treatment, and with appropriate care 60-80% of people experience meaningful symptom improvement.

Q How long do I need to receive Korean medicine treatment for anxiety disorder before I feel results?

A. Usually improvements in sleep and muscle tension appear first within 4-6 weeks, and core anxiety symptom changes are evaluated after 3 months.

Q My worry hasn't stopped for over 6 months. Is this an anxiety disorder?

A. If uncontrollable worry across multiple areas of daily life persists for 6 months or more, it meets the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Q Why does anxiety disorder develop? Is it my personality, or is it an illness?

A. Anxiety disorder is not a matter of willpower or personality. It is a neurological condition caused by dysregulation of serotonin and GABA and an overactive amygdala.

Q Coffee seems to make my anxiety worse. Should I quit it?

A. Caffeine stimulates the amygdala and raises cortisol, worsening anxiety, so if you have an anxiety disorder it is best to reduce it to one cup or less per day.

Q Do overwork and lack of sleep make anxiety worse?

A. Sleep deprivation raises amygdala reactivity by over 40%, and overwork entrenches the anxiety circuit through chronically elevated cortisol.

Q How often do I need to come to Dongjedang for anxiety disorder?

A. For the first month, visits are about every 2 weeks, then adjusted to once a month after stabilization, with acupuncture added depending on the situation.

Q In what order is the Korean traditional medicine treatment for anxiety disorders conducted?

A. The process proceeds in the following order: Differential diagnosis → Prescription for soothing liver qi and calming the mind → Addition of acupuncture treatment → Re-evaluation every 3 months → Maintenance prescription.

Q Can I receive psychological counseling (CBT) and Korean medicine treatment together?

A. CBT and Korean medicine treatment are mutually complementary, and combining them increases the speed of anxiety reduction and the effect of relapse prevention.

Q Is traditional Korean medicine actually effective for anxiety disorders?

A. Acupuncture treatment and herbal medicines in the Gami Soyosan and Siho-ga-ryong-gol-moryeotang series have been clinically confirmed to be effective in improving anxiety symptoms.