In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotions are considered an important factor that can affect a person’s health. According to TCM theory, the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, pensiveness, grief, fear, and fright) can cause internal injury if they are experienced in excess or for prolonged periods of time.
Each emotion is associated with a particular organ in TCM, and excessive or prolonged emotional states can disrupt the normal functioning of the organ and lead to various health problems. The following is a brief overview of the internal injuries caused by each of the seven emotions:
Joy: Excessive joy can affect the heart in TCM, leading to a state of agitation, insomnia, and even heart palpitations.
Anger: Anger affects the liver in TCM, and prolonged anger can lead to liver qi stagnation, which can cause headaches, irritability, and digestive problems.
Worry: Worry affects the spleen in TCM, and excessive worry can weaken the spleen and lead to digestive problems, fatigue, and weakened immunity.
Pensiveness: Pensiveness (overthinking) affects the lungs in TCM, and can lead to a sense of oppression in the chest, shortness of breath, and even asthma.
Grief: Grief affects the lungs in TCM as well, and can lead to feelings of sadness, fatigue, and a weakened immune system.
Fear: Fear affects the kidneys in TCM, and can cause adrenal exhaustion, leading to fatigue, weakness, and even infertility.
Fright: Fright affects the heart in TCM, and can cause sudden shock, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, anxiety, and even confusion.
In TCM, it is believed that emotions are an integral part of a person’s overall health and well-being. It is important to maintain a balance of emotions and avoid excessive or prolonged emotional states to prevent internal injury and maintain good health.