Depression¹

Stagnation; reduced activity. In physiology, depression refers either to depressed qì dynamic (frustrated physiological activity) or to flow stoppage due to due to congestion. The term also describes inhibition of normal emotional activity, expressing itself in the form of oppression, frustration, and irascibility. In practice, depression is usually qì stagnation due to affect damage and is therefore more restricted in meaning than qì stagnation, which may be due to other causes. See also six depressions; depression pattern; stoppage.