Interviewee: Richard, age 46-50, from Maryland was diagnosed with “major depression, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder. 1997. Portland, Oregon”.

I was diagnosed with major depression for engaging in self-mutiliation and having suicidal ideation. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder because I have great difficulty using public restrooms. I have panic attacks occasionally. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder because I continued to complain about feeling cold even after medical tests indicated everything was okay with my thyroid and other organs. I sometimes have delusions of grandeur. I once thought I was a woman.

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Chinese Medicine includes two major symptom patterns that are associated with depressed mood changes. One pattern, “liver qi depression,” is similar to “agitated depression” in Western psychiatry. The other pattern, “qi vacuity,” is similar to “vegetative depressed mood.” The Chinese medical system of classification includes many disorders characterized by depressive mood changes. Read more →