Qigong and its Role in Mental Disorders

Research Paper Title

Qigong-induced mental disorders: a review.

Background

This review article aims to explore current opinions on Qigong-induced mental disorders, an entity which is unfamiliar to Western psychiatrists.

Method

Relevant literature published in Chinese and English is reviewed.

Results

The review is divided into three sections:

• First, there is brief consideration of the historical development of Qigong in traditional Chinese medicine and its role in psychiatry;
• Second, there is a review of the literature published on Qigong deviations and Qigong-induced mental disorders; and
• Third, there is a discussion on the aetiological role of Qigong in these conditions.

Conclusions

Qigong remained veiled in secrecy and available only to the elite until the early 1980s. Despite the widespread use of Qigong, there is a conspicuous lack of controlled data regarding its effects on mental health.

Qigong, when practised inappropriately, may induce abnormal psychosomatic responses and even mental disorders. However, the ties…