Panic attacks and anxiety in Grenoble: the traditional Chinese medicine perspective

**Panic attacks** and acute **anxiety** are distressing experiences: a racing heart, chest oppression, **great fear**, a sense of losing control. **Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)** offers another way of reading these moments, linking **palpitations** to the **Heart** and the **sense of insecurity** to the **Heart – Gallbladder** pair. A perspective offered **alongside** medical care, never instead of it.

Palpitations: the Heart at the centre

In TCM, **palpitations** are not read as a simple rhythm disorder but as the reflection of an **imbalance mainly affecting the Heart**. The Heart is the **centre of consciousness, emotion and Xue**; it houses the **Shen**, governs the **vessels**, and its rhythm is read through the **pulse**. How strongly these beats are felt depends greatly on **anxiety levels** and body awareness: some feel them intensely, others not at all.

Great fear: Heart and Gallbladder deficiency

During an attack, the pattern described by the tradition is a **deficiency of Heart and Gallbladder Qi**, in which the **Shen is no longer nourished**. It shows up as **great fear**, **agitation**, **palpitations**, **phobias** and a marked **sense of insecurity**. The Gallbladder, linked to **courage** and to **firmness in decisions**, plays a key role here: when it weakens, fear takes over.

Phlegm obstructing the spirit

Another possible mechanism involves **turbid Phlegm** obstructing the **clear orifices**: the **Shen is obstructed**, consciousness becomes clouded and the spirit "foggy". These are often mixed patterns where deficiency and excess coexist — which is why an individualised reading of the terrain matters.

Calming the Shen between attacks

**Acupuncture** and **acupressure** aim to **regulate Qi**, **calm the Shen** and **release stagnation**. The tradition cites, for instance, **PC6 Neiguan** (releases chest oppression and regulates heart rhythm) or **Yintang** (pacifies the Shen). These gestures are always **tailored** and never replace medical care, especially when attacks are frequent or disabling.

What to do during and after an attack?

During an attack, **slow abdominal breathing** helps bring the tension down. Afterwards, support can focus on **lifestyle**: regular sleep, fewer stimulants, **breathing** and **relaxation** (cardiac coherence, sophrology). It is essential to **consult your doctor** to rule out an organic cause and, if needed, to be guided to appropriate care. TCM remains a **gentle complement**, never a substitute.

In short

**Traditional Chinese medicine** links **panic attacks** and **palpitations** to the **Heart** and its **Shen**, and **great fear** to the **Heart – Gallbladder** pair. These are reference points for calming the terrain, **alongside** your medical care in Grenoble. Any unusual attack, or cardiac or respiratory symptom, should prompt immediate medical attention.

Discover the practice in Grenoble : www.sophrologue-grenoble.fr/blog/articles/crise-d-angoisse-comprendre-ce-qui-se-passe-et-apprendre-a-l-apaiser