Psychological and Mental Disorders as Triggers of Physical Illness: A Narrative Review on the Dual Perspective from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Naturopathy
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: The traditional separation of mental and physical health is being challenged by evidence that psychological distress contributes to physical diseases. Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can cause illness by disrupting neuroendocrine and immune-inflammatory pathways. This article synthesises the conceptual frameworks of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Naturopathy with modern psychoneuroimmunological research to explore how emotional dysregulation causes physical illness.This narrative review uses a comparative approach to integrate traditional concepts, such as Liver Qi stagnation, with modern findings on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation and systemic inflammation. The review focuses on key clinical correlations, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress, to illustrate the convergence of these diverse paradigms.The review demonstrates a strong conceptual convergence. TCM views emotions as pathogenic factors that disrupt the flow of Qi, leading to organ dysfunction. For example, anger can stagnate the Liver, and chronic worry can weaken the Spleen. Naturopathy explains this through the psychoneuroimmunological model, where stress activates the HPA axis, increasing inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). This link is supported by clinical data showing that depression is associated with inflammation, anxiety with gut-brain axis dysregulation, trauma with immune hyperreactivity, and chronic stress with cardiovascular risk. Both systems offer targeted treatments: TCM uses acupuncture and herbal formulas, while Naturopathy uses adaptogenic herbs and nutritional interventions to restore balance.This review concludes that emotional disturbances are a primary cause of physical illness. Integrating insights from TCM and Naturopathy with modern science offers a more holistic approach to healthcare. The therapeutic strategies of these traditional practices provide effective ways to address the emotional origins of disease, promoting a comprehensive and resilient model of health.
Authors: Batista, Susana, Carrajola, André, Palheira, Cláudio, Ferreira, Isabel, Araújo, Mafalda, Mergulhão, Paula
Language: English
Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7078956197
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