Why is Anger Control Difficult with Depression? | Incheon Depression
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"My whole body feels heavy as if stones are embedded in it, and I get furious over trivial matters," "My mood feels like it's on a rollercoaster several times a day." |
These are common complaints I hear from female patients in their 30s whom I see in my clinic recently.
They often describe sinking into deep depression at times, while at other moments experiencing uncontrollable anger management difficulties.
The reality for modern individuals, grappling with chronic stress amidst the "triple burden" of busy professional life, childcare, and household responsibilities, coupled with the difficulty of breaking free from irregular lifestyle habits, makes these emotional waves deeper and more turbulent.
We often dismiss such emotional difficulties as merely 'problems of the mind.'
However, for many individuals I encounter in clinical practice, there is a high probability that these are complex signals sent from within the body.
Instinctive Signals, Emotional Waves: Messages from the Body
From a Traditional Korean Medicine perspective, this state is diagnosed as 'Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結).'
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Specifically, classic medical texts such as 『Donguibogam』 explain that the 'Liver (肝)' plays a crucial role in the circulation of Qi and emotional regulation within our body. |
Liver Qi Stagnation refers to a state where the flow of 'Qi (氣)' in the body becomes blocked and stagnant, causing a feeling of stuffiness, much like a clogged drain.
When stress and tension persist, the body's Qi cannot circulate smoothly and accumulates in one place.
This easily leads not only to physical symptoms like indigestion and chest tightness but also to emotional instability.
When Qi is blocked, the flow of Blood (血) is naturally affected, a condition known as 'Qi and Blood circulation stagnation.'
It's akin to fish struggling in murky, polluted aquarium water.
When Qi and Blood circulation is not smooth, nutrients and energy cannot be properly supplied to every corner of the body, and waste products accumulate.
This becomes a major cause of various physical discomforts, including chronic fatigue, headaches, and body stiffness.
Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance: The Link Between Emotions and the Body
Ultimately, Liver Qi Stagnation and Qi and Blood circulation stagnation lead to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, which is our body's regulatory system.
When the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is disrupted, it creates a chaotic state, much like a car's brake and accelerator being pressed simultaneously.
Imbalance in the autonomic nervous system intensifies emotional fluctuations, meaning mood swings where one easily falls into depression or experiences difficulty controlling anger even with minor stimuli.
Concurrently, it manifests as various physical discomforts such as indigestion, shoulder stiffness, headaches, and insomnia, significantly diminishing the quality of life.
So, how can these chronic difficulties be resolved?
We understand well that simply being told to 'take it easy' or 'relax' is not enough.
Ms. A's Story: Responding to the Body's Signals
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Recently, Ms. A (a woman in her 30s) visited my clinic. She was struggling with insomnia and extreme fatigue due to work stress, compounded by increasingly severe anger management issues. She mentioned that her irritability would flare up over minor things, negatively impacting her relationships with those around her. While conventional tests showed no specific abnormalities, she constantly felt bloated and had stiff shoulders. This was a classic presentation of Liver Qi Stagnation, Qi and Blood circulation stagnation, and the resulting autonomic nervous system imbalance. I recommended a Korean herbal medicine prescription to Ms. A to promote the smooth flow of blocked Qi and revitalize stagnant Qi and Blood. Traditional Korean Medicine treatment goes beyond merely suppressing visible symptoms; it is a process of improving the body's fundamental environment. Just as one clears a clogged drain and purifies murky aquarium water, it helps restore the balance of the autonomic nervous system by facilitating smooth Qi and Blood circulation within the body. Along with consistent Korean herbal medicine treatment, I emphasized to Ms. A the importance of re-establishing regular lifestyle habits and finding her own methods for stress relief. Korean herbal medicine serves as a reliable partner, empowering the body to heal itself. Over time, Ms. A gradually began to sleep more deeply, and her chronic fatigue diminished. Most importantly, as her emotional fluctuations stabilized, unnecessary anger decreased, and she emerged from depression, regaining a much calmer and more vibrant demeanor than before. Often, emotional stability and physical recovery go hand-in-hand. |
Finding Balance for Body and Mind: A Journey of Recovery
Of course, Korean herbal medicine treatment is not a panacea that solves everything.
The speed of recovery and response may vary depending on an individual's constitution and the severity of their symptoms.
However, what is clear is that listening to your body's signals and making an effort to find and address the root causes can bring meaningful change to anyone.
If you too are suffering from inexplicable depression, uncontrollable anger management difficulties that flare up constantly, and persistent physical discomfort, it might not simply be a 'problem of the mind.'
Perhaps your body is also expressing its distress due to 'Liver Qi Stagnation' or 'Qi and Blood circulation stagnation'?
Even if it's not with me, I sincerely recommend that you meet with a healthcare professional who can carefully examine your entire body and listen to its voice.
The signals of distress your body is sending are well worth understanding, and they can certainly be improved.