Shen Derangement — Mental Illnesses and Chinese Medicine

Deep in the study of Chinese medicine is the association of disturbances  in the Shen that contributes to mental illnesses. Said to be stored in  the elusive and intangible Xin-Heart and residing in the Xue-blood, the  Shen connotes our enthusiasm, purpose, and engagement with the world.  Susceptible to emotions, the Shen can orientate our demeanor and in some  cases, alter our original Xing-temperament and render an individual as  no longer himself/herself in the eyes of family and friends. Often  times, such changes can be precipitated by trauma, substance abuse, and  progressive stress in one’s lives. While there can be genetic  predispositions, Shen disturbances will inadvertently impact the  Jing-essence of the constitution and its association with its intrinsic  Zhi-willpower. Without the balance of the Jing-Shen, one can fluctuate  disharmoniously within the threshold of yin and yang to manifest as  Dian-Kuang (withdrawal-mania) or anxiety, depression,  obsessive-compulsive, and/or bipolar disorders, as well as…