Question 1

Does Korean medicine help with anxiety disorders?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Korean medicine identifies anxiety as 'heart-gallbladder timidity' (心膽虛怯), with treatment that calms the mind and regulates the autonomic nervous system. Combined acupuncture with calming herbs.

Question 2

Are palpitations during anxiety also treated?

Accepted Answer

Yes, palpitations, chest tightness, hand-foot trembling and other physical symptoms accompanying anxiety are treated together. Since these come from autonomic imbalance rather than heart disease, Korean medicine is effective.

Question 3

How long is anxiety disorder treatment?

Accepted Answer

Mild: 1–2 months; moderate or higher: 3–6 months recommended. As symptoms improve, treatment intervals are widened, and maintenance care is provided to prevent recurrence.

Question 4

Should I go to hospital first when the anxiety is severe?

Accepted Answer

If it is a severe episode you are experiencing for the first time, internal medicine assessment comes first. Thyroid and cardiac causes must be excluded.

Question 5

How does acupuncture work on anxiety?

Accepted Answer

It is explained as involving autonomic balance. But there are individual differences.

Question 6

I want to reduce my anti-anxiety medication — how do I do that?

Accepted Answer

Reducing it on your own is dangerous. You must discuss it with the prescribing doctor.

Question 7

My chest pounds and my heart races.

Accepted Answer

We rule out the heart first. After that we look at anxiety.

Question 8

Since the accident the scene keeps coming back to me.

Accepted Answer

We regard this as post-traumatic stress. If it continues beyond a month we also recommend specialist care.

Anxiety Disorder

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