Anxiety/Stress • Depression • Sleep — An Integrative View

These three travel together. Long-running stress and anxiety can tip into depression; poor sleep amplifies both; and all three often occur at the same time. Our job is to help the nervous system settle and reset safely, and in a way that fits your life.

If you’re reading this, you might be carrying more than you let on, worry that won’t switch off, a heaviness that steals appetite and sleep, thoughts that loop. You’re not broken; your nervous system is overwhelmed. Our job is to help it settle and reset.

We blend modern standards (DSM-based screening, CBT, and when appropriate first-line medications in coordination with your clinician) with TCM methods pattern-based care, Xing Nao Kai Qiao acupuncture for central nervous system regulation, and herbal formulas (HAPPY DAY™, RELAX ME™) used adjunctively.

Over the years we’ve helped many, including a world-champion boxer managing Parkinson’s-related low mood as dopamine levels declined, sessions that softened depression and brought back appetite and Miss Arizona 2013, who faced intense anxiety with Tourette’s features and found calm with acupuncture and herbs. We’ve also supported children, including patients as young as four, with plans tailored to their needs. Individual results vary; care is always coordinated with appropriate medical and psychological support.

Why These Conditions Cluster

They are common and often co-occur. Large datasets show substantial overlap between anxiety and depression; many people experience both at once.

Sleep is a force multiplier. Insufficient or irregular sleep worsens anxiety and mood, and anxiety/depression make sleep worse forming a feedback loop.

Chronic stress can dysregulate the HPA axis and increase neuroinflammatory signaling biology linked to both anxiety and depression.

Bottom line: treating any one of these gets easier when we address all three together.

Fast Facts (U.S.)

Any anxiety disorder (past year): 19.1% of adults; lifetime 31.1%.
Major depressive episode (past year, 2021): 8.3% of U.S. adults (21 million).
Insufficient sleep (2022): about one-third of adults; state range roughly 30%–46%.

Western Care

Anxiety disorders: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and SSRIs/SNRIs are typical first-line options; benzodiazepines are not first-line for chronic management due to dependence/sedation risks.
Depression: CBT, behavioral activation, and antidepressants are standard; choice depends on severity and patient preference.
Insomnia: CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) is first-line for chronic insomnia; usually 4–8 sessions (in person or digital).

We respect medication benefits and risks. Long-term benzodiazepines / sedative-hypnotics can lead to dependence and next-day impairment; SSRIs/SNRIs are not addictive but can cause side effects and discontinuation symptoms. We cooperate with your prescriber if medication changes are considered.

How we treat (TCM-led, integrative)

1) Acupuncture

Approach: Pattern-based acupuncture blended with Xing Nao Kai Qiao (醒脑开窍; “Awaken the Brain & Open the Orifices”) for central regulation when anxiety–sleep–mood symptoms cluster.

Evidence snapshot: Reviews suggest acupuncture can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and may improve sleep, with generally good safety (trial quality varies). Typical course: 1–2 sessions/week for 4–6 weeks, then taper.

TCM patterns We Consider (Examples)

Anxiety/stress: Liver Qi stagnation → heat; Heart Yin deficiency; Phlegm-Heat disturbing the Shen.
Depression: Liver Qi constraint; Heart/Spleen deficiency (rumination, fatigue); Kidney deficiency (low drive).
Sleep disturbance: Heart Yin/Blood deficiency; Phlegm-Heat; disharmony between Heart & Kidney.

2) Chinese Herbal Support (Adjunctive)

We use DSHEA-compliant language (e.g., “supports calm/mood/focus”). Dosing and interactions are personalized.

Happy Day™ from Sol Nutrition

Supports mood, energy & motivation (逍遥思路：soothe Liver, harmonize Liver–Spleen, nourish Heart).

Highlights: Rhodiola human literature for stress-related fatigue; Ginkgo pilot study showing increased cerebral blood flow; preclinical support for Ginseng + Polygala on BDNF–TrkB.

Sleep Deeply™ from Sol Nutrition

Supports deep, restorative sleep (养心安神：calm Shen, nourish Heart Blood/Yin；调达肝气：harmonize Liver；化痰宁神：gently transform phlegm to ease nighttime rumination).

Highlights: Helps reset the natural wake/sleep cycle; encourages natural melatonin production; promotes deep, long-lasting sleep; non-drowsy daytime profile. Main ingredients: *Ziziphi Spinosae (Suan Zao Ren), Polygalae Radix (Yuan Zhi), Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren), Host-wood Poria (Fu Shen).Helps reset the natural wake/sleep cycle*

Relax Me™ from Sol Nutrition

Supports calm & focus under stress (清烦安神：calm Shen, harmonize Liver, nourish Heart Yin).

Highlights: Rhodiola stress-management review; Ashwagandha adaptogenic data; Magnolia/Magnolol (GABA(A) site; preclinical) and Poria (AMPK pathway) provide mechanistic context.

Usage & safety: We monitor for interactions (e.g., sedatives, anticoagulants, thyroid medications). Supplements are not drugs; Please consult with the professionals to consume this supplement.

3) Lifestyle & Social Medicine

Sleep: schedule consistency, light timing, caffeine cutoff, and stimulus control (CBT-I methods).
Nervous-system downshifts: breathwork (longer exhale), gentle movement, time in nature.
Food as care: warm, regular meals for Spleen Qi; reduce late alcohol/sugar for sleep quality.
Connection: structured social contact to counter withdrawal and improve sleep/mood.

What to Expect at Our Clinic

Assessment: PHQ-9/GAD-7 + TCM tongue/pulse; sleep inventory.
Plan: Acupuncture (± Xing Nao Kai Qiao), targeted HAPPY DAY™ / RELAX ME™, CBT-style sleep skills, nutrition and social-connection coaching; coordinate with your physician/therapist.
Follow-up: Track scores, sleep, energy; adjust points/formulas as patterns shift.

Stories

With consent to share, we have supported individuals ranging from a four-year-old child to elite performers. Selected examples:

Muhammad Ali — Parkinson’s-related depression associated with declining dopamine; acupuncture sessions helped soften low mood and restore interest in meals. Public mentions include interviews with People’s Daily (China) and local media; Lonnie Ali has also spoken publicly about this care.
Miss Arizona 2013 — Severe anxiety with OCD features; responded well to acupuncture and customized herbal support. Interviews include PBS, Channel 3, Fox News, and Acupuncture Today.

Individual results vary. Care is coordinated with appropriate medical and psychological support.

Important notices

If you are in crisis or considering self-harm, in the U.S. call or text 988 for immediate support.

Dietary supplement disclaimer (DSHEA): These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

NIMH. Any Anxiety Disorder: past-year and lifetime prevalence.
NIMH. Major Depressive Episode among Adults: 2021 estimates.
CDC. Insufficient sleep in adults (2013–2022 state-level).
CDC. Inadequate sleep and frequent mental distress: population analyses.
McEwen BS, Akil H. Revisiting the stress concept: HPA axis and neuroinflammation in mood/anxiety disorders (review).
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Generalized Anxiety & Panic Disorder in Adults (2022).
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Behavioral & psychological treatments for chronic insomnia: guideline (2021).
Armour M, et al. Acupuncture for depression: systematic review/meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2019.
Yang X, et al. Acupuncture for anxiety: systematic review/meta-analysis. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2021.
Rhodiola rosea: systematic/practice reviews for stress-related fatigue and mental performance.
Mashayekh A, et al. Ginkgo biloba increases cerebral blood flow: MR perfusion pilot. Neuroradiology. 2011.
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): adaptogen literature and narrative reviews.
Magnolol/Magnolia officinalis: GABA(A) interaction and Nrf2 pathway (preclinical).
Poria cocos: AMPK activation and ER-stress/autophagy improvements (preclinical).