The Yin and Yang of Social Phobia by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc

Q:I feel that I am experiencing social phobia symptoms (red face, racing heart, sweating) and don't want to take a prescription drug with a bunch of bad side effects that will only mask these symptoms. I'm very interested in Chinese medicine but feel that I may be the person it has no effect on. I'd like some more information on overcoming anxiety and social phobia so I may live again. I'm probably yang deficient but no one would expect me to say that nor would they think I'd even be the one asking for info about overcoming anxiety.

- Ryan

A: Ryan, did you read our social phobia article yet? (http://pulsemed.org/Socialphobia.htm)

Are you looking for more detailed lifestyle-type solutions? Are you suspicious that Chinese Medicine won't work for you because you've tried Chinese Medicine before, or are you just afraid of the disappointment? What makes you say you think you are yang deficient? Help me target my response to you with answers to these questions. All the best, B

Q: Hi Brian, I don't exactly know why I feel I'm yang deficient, I know very little about chinese medicine. But from my extensive readings on the internet about the symptoms I've been experiencing (red face, racing heart, constant heat, sometimes with uncontrollable sweating, nervousness--social phobia). I feel I'm exerting many of what I understand to be yang deficiency symptoms.

I'm not really shy but feel I'm really under a lot of pressure especially when around strangers or making a first impression. I'm hoping to overcome this without Western meds. that have too many terrible side effects. As far as lifestyle changes, I've been doing practically the same things I've always done, but now everything is just much harder in general, and the social phobia of whatever kind may be to blame. If you have any recommendations about changing this naturally, I'm all ears.

I've never tried a chinese medicine before, I just am skeptical about the true intentions of a lot of on-line doctors/therapists that are quick to perscribe something for someone they do not know or really care about.

Not to sound like a Mr. Know-it-all, but I'm a graduating with a Marketing minor soon and know a lot about advertising and marketing schemes. This being a problem many Americans face makes it all the more enticing for someone attempting make a quick buck from desperate people. But I do not feel this way about your organization and as I said, I know very little about Chinese medicine. I'd like to find something that works for me and hope you'll talk with me some more.

Thank you very very much for your time and understanding

Sincerely, Ryan

A: Ryan, thanks for your clarification, and your feedback.

I keep hearing about online doctors... I haven't looked into this, so I can't speak to that. But yes, the internet and my email inbox are full of marketing messages.

The Pulse's major goal is to raise public awareness about Chinese Medicine. We take part in a few affiliate programs (Amazon.com, The Diet Forum) but these are peripheral, and do not influence our writings. We are committed to the highest ethical standards- which I have discussed in this article. (10 guidelines article)

Yin and Yang Deficiency

So, let's talk about yin and yang deficiency. Yin is passive and cool. Yang is active and hot. Thus, a yin deficiency is a lack of coolness and passivity which leads to "hot" symptoms... feelings of heat, restlessness, etc. Yang deficiency is a lack of heat and activity, so it appear "cold"... feelings of cold, diminished function, tiredness, etc.

However, diagnosis is not so simple. Yin or yang symptoms can be due to deficiency or excess. The ones above are just the deficiency kind. A yang excess would be hot and overactive. A yin excess would be cold and sluggish.

Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine

I'm going to run you through a hypothetical Chinese Medicine diagnosis- just for your information- you should find a Chinese Medicine physician in your area and consult them for treatment. I don't know all the facts of your case, so I can't substitute for a one-on-one consultation. To find a Chinese Medicine physician, go to this page.

Your symptoms are "red face, racing heart, constant heat, sometimes with uncontrollable sweating, nervousness--social phobia"

The red face, racing heart, constant heat, and uncontrollable sweating are all heat symptoms. So are they yin deficiency, or yang excess? In yin deficiency, sweating is usually at night and correlates with a feeling of heat in the palms and feet. In yin deficiency, usually only the cheeks are red... whereas in yang excess the whole face is red. In yin deficiency, feelings of heat are in the afternoon or evening.

It appears to me you more likely have a yang excess.

The 8 Principles of Chinese Medicine

Up to now, we've only talked about 6 of the 8 principles. The 8 principles are a general categorizing system for diagnosis... They are

internal/external

cold/hot

deficient/excess

Go to Page 2

BIO:

Acupuncturist, herbalist, and medical professor Brian B. Carter founded the alternative health megasite The Pulse of Oriental Medicine (http://www.PulseMed.org/). He is the author of the book "Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure" (November, 2004). Brian speaks on radio across the country, and has been quoted and interviewed by Real Simple, Glamour, and ESPN magazines.

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