Anxiety Disorders · Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency is a common pattern in anxiety disorders, characterized by amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuit dysfunction, anxiety, palpitations, fearfulness, and easy startling. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Heart Blood and Gallbladder Qi failing to calm the spirit, leading to excessive fear response, emotional instability, and autonomic dysfunction.

Anxiety Disorders · Heart-Spleen Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Heart-Spleen Deficiency is a common pattern in anxiety disorders, characterized by chronic stress exhaustion, anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep, and poor memory. The core pathogenesis is prolonged stress and overthinking consuming Heart Blood and Spleen Qi, leading to Shen (spirit) restlessness, anxiety, and systemic fatigue.

Anxiety Disorders · Liver Depression Transforming into Fire Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Liver Depression Transforming into Fire is a common pattern in anxiety disorders, characterized by chronic stress-induced norepinephrine overrelease, anxiety, irritability, headache, and agitation. The core pathogenesis is prolonged stress causing Liver Qi stagnation transforming into Fire, leading to Shen (spirit) agitation, irritability, and autonomic hyperactivity.

Anxiety Disorders · Phlegm-Heat Internal Disturbance Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Phlegm-Heat Internal Disturbance is a pattern in anxiety disorders, characterized by gut-brain axis dysfunction, anxiety, chest tightness, and sticky mouth. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Phlegm-Heat in the body, causing disturbance of the Heart spirit, anxiety, and autonomic dysfunction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

Anxiety Disorders · Yin Deficiency with Fire Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Yin Deficiency with Fire is a common pattern in anxiety disorders, characterized by sympathetic-adrenal medullary system hyperactivity, anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, and night sweats. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Yin failing to control Yang, leading to ascendant deficiency fire, Shen (spirit) restlessness, and autonomic hyperactivity.

Anxiety Disorders: TCM Acupuncture Points & Herbal Relief Guide

Updated: June 22, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 8 min
Body Area: Whole Body / Nervous System

Overview

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, affecting approximately 30% of adults at some point in their lifetime. They encompass generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Core symptoms include persistent excessive worry, physical tension, restlessness, palpitations, and sleep disturbance — often accompanied by avoidance behaviors that narrow a person’s life.