Easily Startled in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different easily startled patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Being "easily startled" describes an exaggerated response to sudden or unexpected stimuli, such as loud noises or quick movements. This symptom is often characterized by a heightened state of nervousness, where even minor triggers can provoke a significant reaction. In Western medicine, being easily startled is commonly associated with conditions such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other nervous system dysfunctions. It may indicate an overactive startle reflex, where the body's fight-or-flight response is more sensitive than usual, leading to a quickened heart rate, sweating, and a feeling of fear.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, being easily startled is viewed as a sign of underlying disharmonies within the body’s energy systems, rather than merely a psychological issue. TCM attributes this symptom to imbalances in Qi, Blood, Yin, or organ systems, such as the Heart, Liver, or Gallbladder. The cause can vary widely, and therefore, accurate diagnosis of the specific pattern of disharmony is crucial for effective treatment. Unlike Western approaches, which may focus on symptom management, TCM seeks to restore overall harmony and balance in the body to resolve the underlying cause.
TCM Patterns for Easily Startled
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Easily scared, Propensity to be startled
Heart Blood Deficiency
Easily scared
Along with: Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
Easily scared
Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory
Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
Easily scared
Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety, Easily startled, Dull pale complexion, Pale lips, Generalized fatigue, Muscle weakness, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Scanty menstruation
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
Propensity to be startled
Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety, Easily startled, Dull pale complexion, Pale lips, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Tingling of limbs, Limb numbness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Muscle cramps, Muscle weakness, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Withered and brittle nails
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Easily scared
Gallbladder Deficiency
Easily scared
Along with: Timidity, Easily startled, Lack of courage, Indecision, Sighing, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Early awakening, Vivid dreaming
Liver Qi Deficiency
Easily scared
Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled, Lack of courage, Indecision, Sighing, Vivid dreaming, Depression, Irritability, Hypochondriac distention, Irregular periods, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Abdominal distention
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Easily scared, Jumpy
Heart Yin Deficiency
Easily scared
Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Yin Deficiency
Jumpy
Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools, Dry mouth and throat at night, Nocturnal emission, Pain relieved by pressure and cold, Preference for sipping
Herbal Formulas for Easily Startled
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address easily startled
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled...
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Harmonizes the middle burner
- Relaxes tension
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Gallbladder Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Timidity, Easily startled, Lack of courage, Indecision, Sighing, Dizziness...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to be startled
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled...
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Jumpy
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Scanty and dark urine...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to be startled
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Jumpy
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Scanty and dark urine...
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Anchors the Heart and calms the Mind
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Mu Li San
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Inhibits sweating
- Stabilizes the exterior
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Jumpy
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Scanty and dark urine...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
- Nourish the Heart Blood
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Generates Body Fluids
- Nourishes the Yin
- Unblocks the bowels
- Drains Heat
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Jumpy
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Scanty and dark urine...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Easily scared
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Sheng Yu Tang
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Preserves the Blood
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to be startled
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Addresses these easily startled patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin and Blood
- Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind
- Calms the Liver
- Anchors the yang
Addresses These Easily Startled Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to be startled
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...