Q In what order does Oriental medicine treatment proceed once it begins? Does the treatment differ during the manic and depressive phases?
A The approach varies depending on the stage of the episode. During the manic phase, the focus shifts to clearing the heart fire (Cheongsimhwa) and sedation; during the depressive phase, the focus shifts to boosting energy through warming the gallbladder (Ondam) and soothing the liver (Sogan). During the stable phase, the focus is on preventing episodes by strengthening the constitution.
Detailed Answer
Oriental medicine treatment proceeds in three stages tailored to the state of the episode. Manic Phase (Rising Heart Fire): Priority is given to clearing the heart fire, sedation, and sleep recovery. Depressive Phase (Stressed Phlegm): Energy circulation is achieved through herbal medicines that dissolve gallbladder and stabilize the mind, while emotional relaxation is achieved through soothing the liver. Stable Phase: Fatigue recovery and strengthening of basic physical strength for the brain and nervous system are performed using tonics tailored to the constitution. Since prescriptions differ for each stage, we regularly monitor and adjust your condition. For rapid cyclers who alternate between mania and depression, sleep stability is particularly key to treatment. If you keep records of your episode patterns and seasonal changes, we can develop a more precise treatment plan.
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