Mental Health: Phrases for TCM Approaches to Stress and Anxiety
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mental health is closely linked to the balance of the body's energy (Qi), emotions, and physical health. Stress and anxiety are often treated through a combination of herbal remedies, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes. The following dialogues provide simple phrases that might be used in a TCM clinic when discussing stress and anxiety.
Scene 1: Discussing Stress Levels
Patient:
Doctor, I've been feeling very stressed lately.
医生，我最近感觉压力很大。
Yīshēng, wǒ zuìjìn gǎnjué yālì hěn dà.
Doctor:
What’s been causing your stress? Work, family, or something else?
是什么导致你的压力？是工作、家庭还是其他原因？
Shì shénme dǎozhì nǐ de yālì? Shì gōngzuò, jiātíng háishì qítā yuányīn?
Patient:
It’s mainly work-related.
主要是工作方面的。
Zhǔyào shì gōngzuò fāngmiàn de.
Doctor:
I recommend acupuncture and herbal tea to help calm your mind.
我建议你做针灸和喝中药茶来帮助放松心情。
Wǒ jiànyì nǐ zuò zhēnjiǔ hé hē zhōngyào chá lái bāngzhù fàngsōng xīnqíng.
Scene 2: Coping with Anxiety
Patient:
I often feel anxious and have trouble sleeping.
我经常感到焦虑，还失眠。
Wǒ jīngcháng gǎndào jiāolǜ, hái shīmián.
Doctor:
Do you notice if anything triggers your anxiety?
你注意到是什么引发了你的焦虑吗？
Nǐ zhùyì dào shì shénme yǐnfā le nǐ de jiāolǜ ma?
Patient:
It usually happens when I have too much on my mind.
通常是当我思虑过多的时候。
Tōngcháng shì dāng wǒ sīlǜ guò duō de shíhòu.
Scene 3: Managing Chronic Stress
Patient:
I’ve been under chronic stress, and it’s affecting my health.
我一直处于慢性压力中，这影响了我的健康。
Wǒ yīzhí chǔyú mànxìng yālì zhōng, zhè yǐngxiǎng le wǒ de jiànkāng.
Doctor:
Chronic stress can lead to imbalances in the body. We need to support your liver and heart with specific herbs.
慢性压力会导致身体失衡。我们需要用特定的中药来调养你的肝脏和心脏。
Mànxìng yālì huì dǎozhì shēntǐ shīhéng. Wǒmen xūyào yòng tèdìng de zhōngyào lái tiáoyǎng nǐ de gānzàng hé xīnzàng.
Patient:
What else can I do to reduce this stress?
我还能做些什么来减轻压力？
Wǒ hái néng zuò xiē shénme lái jiǎnqīng yālì?
Doctor:
Regular exercise, meditation, and a balanced diet will also help.
定期锻炼、冥想和均衡饮食也会有帮助。
Dìngqī duànliàn, míngxiǎng hé jūnhéng yǐnshí yě huì yǒu bāngzhù.