The Five Types of Depression

Which Type Are You?

Which Type Are You?

Dr Michael here!

Millions of Americans suffer from some form of depression. Use of anti-depressants in this country has risen by an alarming rate in the last 25 years, with one in every 10 Americans taking anti-depressant drugs. Anti-depressants are the third most common prescription medication. But drugs are not the only treatment option and often come with unwanted side effects.

Five Element Acupuncture is an effective alternative to anti-depressants and can resolve the unique root cause of depression for each individual. In Five Element Acupuncture, we identify 5 main causes of depression, one type for each of the Five Elements. There is a different emotion and depression pattern associated with each Element: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.

Fire Depression

Fire is associated with Joy. When your Fire is out of balance, your energy typically becomes depleted, and you can develop a “Lack of Joy.” This leads to an emotional flatness, a lack of interest or enthusiasm, or a lack of “spark.” Acupuncture treatment on the Fire Element can stoke your Fire and restore your Joy.

Earth Depression

Earth is associated with Sympathy. When your Earth is out of balance, you either need sympathy and support from others, or you feel the need to give sympathy and support to others. Sympathy can lead to worry, and you may overthink or worry when your Earth is out of balance. In Earth depression, you may feel misunderstood, unsupported, or ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Acupuncture treatment on the Earth Element can support your Earth Element and balance the need to give or receive Sympathy.

Metal Depression

Metal is associated with Grief. When a person’s Metal is out of balance, you feel an emptiness or void. Your self-worth may suffer, and you may lose respect for yourself or others. You may have trouble letting go of the past and hold onto regrets. If your Metal energy continues to deplete, you can slip into an emotional abyss. Acupuncture treatment on the Metal Element can allow you to let go of Grief and rebuild your self-esteem.

Water Depression

Water is associated with Fear. When your Water goes out of balance, you feel fearful or anxious. If Water goes further out of balance, you may experience a high level of anxiety or have panic attacks. As Water becomes depleted, you may lose your drive and ambition or feel a sense of resignation. This can lead to “drowning” in Water depression. Acupuncture treatment on the Water Element can dissipate fear and anxiety, bring a sense of peace and calm, and rebuild your willpower.

Wood Depression

Wood is associated with Anger. When your Wood goes out of balance, you feel easily irritable, tense, frustrated, or angry. You may lose your patience and temper, and may develop resentment towards others or turn your anger inward and develop feelings of guilt. If Wood energy becomes more unbalanced, you may develop feelings of futility or hopelessness. Acupuncture treatment on the Wood Element can lessen anger and increase your sense of hope.

For moderate to mild depression, Five Element acupuncture treatments can result in a reduction of medication dosage or may completely replace the need for drug therapy. Even in the most severe cases of depression, Five Element Acupuncture is a powerful tool and can work alongside anti-depressants to boost their effectiveness.

Other styles of acupuncture do not treat depression as directly or effectively as Five Element acupuncture. If you or someone you know is suffering with depression, we encourage you or them to call us at the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center at (904) 296-9545 to make an appointment for a consultation and begin treatment for better mental health.

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