-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
endocrine system
hyperthyroidism
psychospiritual approaches
metaphors and correlations
An analysis of neuroendocrine and immunologic pathways suggests that depression, set off by bereavement, causes low levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This in turn may mediate an increase in ACTH and cortisol, leading to reductions in immune surveillance and resultant production of thyroid-stimulating globulins (TSI), and hence the development of Grave's disease in genetically susceptible (HLA B8) individuals. (Locke, 1983, p. 101-2)
Grave's hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and exophthalmos, may each be due to closely related, inherited isolated defects in immune surveillance, presumably in suppressor T-lymphocytes. The defect in any organ-specific autoimmune disease permits the specific randomly mutating self-reactive 'forbidden' clone of helper T-lymphocytes to survive if it appears, interact with its complimentary antigen, and induce a cell mediated immune response. This clone of self-reactive T-lymphocytes would presumably expand following interaction with its antigen, and consequently direct and cooperate with appropriate groups of already present B-lymphocytes. These in turn produce specific immunoglobulins that appear to be necessary for the full expression of these disorders. The role of stress in the induction of hyperthyroidism may be by means of its effect in further reducing immune surveillance in those persons with only a partially isolated defect. Remissions may be brought about by restoring the capacity for surveillance to its previous state. (Locke, 1983, p. 102)
These patients display affects, namely higher basal levels of anxiety (trait anxiety) and of depression, which might increase their susceptibility to developing Grave's disease. A study of 37 patients suggests that a chronic high anxiety proneness could be a psychophysiological predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of Grave's, and that stressful life events (or life changes in the year previous) indeed influence its onset. (Locke, 1983, p. 130)
Hyperthyroidism: Individual feels he might lose a loved person or object, and takes care to prevent such a loss by holding on or possessiveness. (Gentry, p. 43)
Glands have the meaning of a door, or shield, or forest. Thyroid disturbance is usually associated with some issue regarding going through a door of life; making the decision of moving from one phase of life to another. (Shealy, p. 123)
Extreme disappointment at not being able to do what you want; always fulfilling others, not the self. (Hay, 1984, p. 169)
Thyroid is associated with humiliation. (Hay, 1984, p. 186)
Often associated with emotional trauma bringing it on or making it worse.
(Fanning, p. 230)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Liver ~ Gan is the residence of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); reflects emotional harmony and movement; opens into the eyes; and expresses itself in the nervous system.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Liver Xu (Deficiency) signs include impotence; frigidity; pain in thighs, pelvic region, and throat; ready tendency to "the blahs" (Seem, p. 28); timidity; depression; irritability; vertigo; pruritus; dry eyes, skin, and/or tendons; asthma; aching at the waist; hernia; and difficulty raising head up and down. Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to the Shi (Excess) conditions of Liver Wind, Liver Yang Rising, and Liver Fire Blazing.
» Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216)
» Liver Shi (Excess) signs include discontent; anger; pain in lumbar region and genitals (Seem, p. 28); muscular tension; excessive sex drive; insomnia; moodiness; excitability; genital diseases; red, tearing eyes; compulsive energy; and bitter taste in the mouth. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder with symptoms of irritability, bitter taste, headaches, etc.
San Jiao ~ Triple Warmer regulates the relations among the three regions roughly delimited by the chest, abdomen, and pelvis; influences the supply of Xue (Blood), Qi and Fluids; is the source of Wei (Protective) Qi; and relates to the function of heat regulation.
» Mental signs of Triple Warmer channel disorders include emotional upsets caused by breaking of friendships or family relations; depression; suspicion; anxiety; and poor elimination of harmful thoughts. (Seem, p. 28)
Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; provides the "Fire of Life" through its Yang functions and tempers the Fiery qualities and activities through its Yin Watery qualities, and displays the effects of aging, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.
» Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; discouragement, and scatteredness.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).
therapies
imagery:
fire and ice (Chavez)
See gland shrinking. See flow of thyroxin as a stream of water from a downspout in a storm. As the rain lets up and the sun comes out, the stream becomes a trickle which then subsides to a slow drip. (Fanning, p. 230)
affirmation:
I return my power to its rightful place. I make my own decisions. I fulfill myself. (Hay, 1984, p. 169)
I move beyond old limitations and now allow myself to express freely and creatively. (Hay, 1984, p. 186)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (related materia medica listings: endocrine system interview)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
process paradigm
footnotes
Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.