Health for All says
First, senile depression is a mood disorder characterized by depressed mood and loss of interest and pleasure. Older people often experience low mood due to changes in their lives, changes in family relationships, or the death of relatives and friends, but this depression is temporary and does not last long. Geriatric depression is different in that it is a persistent depressive state that lasts for a long time, accompanied by negative emotions and feelings of inferiority.
Secondly, the main manifestations of senile depression also include a loss of interest and joy in life, which is often reflected in the loss of interest in activities and indifference to the company of family and friends. At the same time, elderly patients with depression also experience low self-esteem and low self-esteem. They often deny and belittle themselves, feel that they are useless or worthless, and even have suicidal thoughts.
In addition, geriatric depression also manifests itself in a range of physical symptoms, such as headache, chest tightness, fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, or excessive sleepiness. These physical symptoms often lead to depressive states in older adults being ignored or misunderstood as a physical illness.
In TCM theory, geriatric depression can be classified as "depression". According to TCM, depression is caused by stagnation of liver qi, which leads to unhappiness in the heart qi, which can lead to depressed mood and physical illness. For the sake of depression in old age, Chinese medicine has proposed a variety of programs.
First of all, regulating qi is one of the important methods of Chinese medicine ** geriatric depression. Since liver qi stagnation is one of the main causes of depression in old age, it is necessary to relieve stagnation and improve mood by adjusting the qi. Traditional Chinese medicine often uses some drugs to relieve qi, such as Bupleurum and Xiangfu.
Secondly, TCM also focuses on adjusting mentality and dietary Xi. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the mindset and diet are closely related to the health of the body. Therefore, in the case of geriatric depression, TCM recommends that patients maintain an optimistic and positive attitude and avoid the invasion of negative emotions. At the same time, TCM also recommends that patients eat a reasonable diet, avoid overeating spicy and stimulating foods, and consume more foods rich in vitamin B, such as red dates and black beans.
Among the ancient and modern prescriptions, there are some prescriptions that are also widely used for depression in the elderly. For example, the oyster soup with the keel of Chai Hu Guizhi in "Jin Kui Yaolu" has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression and calming the nerves, and is used for depression in the elderly. In addition, the Yuewan Jiashu decoction in the "Treatise on Typhoid Fever and Miscellaneous Diseases" is also often used to regulate qi, relieve liver qi stagnation, and improve mood.
In summary, senile depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest and enjoyment. The best treatment of Chinese medicine for elderly depression is mainly to improve mood by regulating qi, and at the same time pay attention to adjusting the mentality and dietary Xi habits. In clinical practice, TCM doctors often use prescriptions such as Chai Hu Guizhi Keel Oyster Soup**. However, TCM** geriatric depression still needs further in-depth research and clinical verification.
Health References:
1.Chen Jiyang, Cheng Minyan, Chen Zhonghua. Clinical characteristics and progression of depression in the elderly[J].Journal of Guangzhou Medical College,2016,44(11):1625-1628