In the most recent National Health Survey, 1 in 10 Australians reported long term mental or behavioural problems, the most common being anxiety & mood (depression) related. Adults who reported this were also more likely to record higher stress levels than other people. More people die through suicide in Australia than in motor vehicle accidents, according to the latest statistics from the ABS. In response to this and many other surveys, the Federal Government has increased mental health funding over the next four years to a total of $1,362 million.

Anxiety & depression are real problems within our community that are increasingly receiving the attention they deserve, however there is still a long way to go in eliminating the stigma attached to the illness. There are many causes for depression and many treatment options. Rene's story provides an insight into some of these.

Rene grew up on a property just outside a country town in NSW. "I was a happy, healthy and independent child," she says. "When I was 7 or 8-years-old we moved into town and looking back, that's when I first started to feel anxious."

As her insecurities increased, she began to experiment in recreational drugs. At first it was marijuana, and then it was LSD, until finally she wound up in hospital from a chemical imbalance that had caused her to go into a depressive psychosis. "It was a very difficult time for me and my family. I was completely out of action for a couple of months," she says.

"As time went on and I moved away to larger towns, I dabbled in drugs in an attempt to overcome my increasing levels of depression & anxiety which had quietly snuck up on me. A personal relationship ended badly and I was very hurt, which led to another bout of depression. This time I actively sought help. I visited my GP and was put on anti-depressants, I took myself off to a counsellor and I received regular acupuncture treatments.

"I gave up the counselling a while ago but have only recently come off the anti-depressant medication and have stepped up the acupuncture treatments. The acupuncture helps to reduce my stress levels and gives me more mental clarity. I feel very nurtured and more secure in myself after a treatment. I've also been exercising more, meditating and making sure I have a healthy diet. I feel like depression will always be a part of me but I'm definitely on the other side."

Chinese Medicine (CM) uses a different language to explain, diagnose and treat what is going on in the body, mind and spirit - describing all elements of our health in terms of Yin, Yang and Qi (pronounced "chi").

So when someone is depressed or anxious, CM takes into account how they feel emotionally and physically and describes this in terms of Qi. For example, a patient may feel heavy in the body as well as the spirit and be unable to drag themselves out of bed in the morning. They may also worry a lot about what other people think, have a tendency towards loose bowel movements and not have much energy. In CM this means the patient's digestive Qi (Spleen & Stomach) is weak and needs strengthening with acupuncture, Chinese herbs and a possible diet change.

Rebecca Mar Young is a Chinese medicine practitioner.
rebecca.young@acupuncture.net.au