Emotional Depression

情緒抑鬱 / 情绪抑郁

Low mood, sadness, or emotional heaviness.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Sleep & Emotional Balance
Also Known As	Low mood, Feeling down, Depressive mood, Emotional low, Persistent low spirits
Common Symptoms	A sustained low or heavy mood, reduced interest in usual activities, and a sense of emotional weight or constraint. There may be sighing, chest tightness, irritability alternating with low mood, or a feeling that emotions are hard to move. Sleep and appetite can shift alongside the mood change.
Related TCM Patterns	Qi Stagnation · Blood Stasis · Qi Deficiency · Yin Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Xiao Yao San · Jia Wei Xiao Yao San · Chai Hu Shu Gan San · Yue Ju Wan · Si Ni San · Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang · Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang · Tong Xie Yao Fang · Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang · Gan Mai Da Zao Tang · Ban Xia Hou Po Tang · Yi Guan Jian

Emotional Depression in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional depression is understood through pattern rather than as a single mood diagnosis. Qi stagnation and Blood stasis are among the patterns that may present with low or constrained mood. Differentiation looks at whether there is rib-side distension, sighing, fixed pain, a dark complexion, or menstrual changes in women, and whether the pulse is wiry or choppy. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern features, not to low mood as an isolated label.

TCM Patterns Associated With Emotional Depression

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Xiao Yao San Jia Wei Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Shu Gan San Yue Ju Wan Si Ni San Tong Xie Yao Fang Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Qi Deficiency氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Easy fatigue, shortness of breath on mild effort, a soft or low voice, and spontaneous sweating with light activity. The complexion is often pale, and recovery after exertion is slow. There may be a tendency to catch external pathogens more easily. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Yin Deficiency陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Dry mouth and throat, night sweats or warm palms and soles, a thin body frame, and restlessness that is worse in the afternoon or at night. Sleep may be light, and there is often a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms feel empty rather than forceful. Tongue red with scant coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Yi Guan Jian