恐与惊悸相似，实非惊悸也。张子和云∶惊者为自不知故也，恐者为自知也，盖惊者闻响即惊，恐者自知
如人将捕之状，及不能独自坐卧，必须人为伴侣，方不恐惧，或夜必用灯照，无灯烛亦恐惧者是也。
脏腑恐有四∶
一曰肾。经云∶在脏为肾，在志为恐。又云∶精气并于肾则恐是也。（条见虚条及针灸条。）
二曰肝胆。经云∶肝藏血，血不足则恐。戴人曰∶胆者敢也，惊怕则胆伤矣。盖肝胆实则怒而勇敢，肝胆
虚则善怒而不敢也。（余见同上。）
三曰胃。经云∶胃为恐是也。
四曰心。经云∶心怵惕思虑则伤神，伤神则恐惧自失者是也。
〔丹〕周本心年六十岁，形气俱实，因大恐，正月间染病，心不自安，如人将捕之状，夜卧亦不安，两耳
后亦见火光炎上，食饮虽进而不知味，口干而不欲食。以人参、白术、当归身为君，陈皮为佐，加盐炒黄柏、
炙玄参各少许，煎服自愈，月余而安。（经云∶恐伤肾。丹溪用盐炒黄柏、炙玄参，引参，归等入补肾足少
阴络也。）
〔《本》〕治胆虚常多畏恐，不能独卧，如人捕之状，头目不利，人参散。
人参 枳壳 五味子 桂心 甘菊花 茯神 山茱萸 枸杞子（各三分） 柏子仁 熟地（各一两）
上细末，每二钱，温酒调服。
治胆虚冷，目眩头疼，心神恐畏，不能独处，胸中满闷，茯神散。
茯神（一两） 远志 防风 细辛 白术 前胡 人参 桂心 熟地 甘菊花（各三分） 枳壳（半两）
上为末，每服三钱，水一盏，姜三片，煎六分，温服，不拘老幼皆宜服。
治胆虚目暗，喉痛数唾，眼目眩冒，五色所障，梦见被人争讼，恐惧面色变者，补胆防风汤。
防风（一钱） 人参（七分） 细辛 芎 甘草 茯苓 独活 前胡（各八分）
上粗末，每四大钱，水盏半，枣二枚，煎八分，去渣，食前服。
运气 善恐皆属肝木虚。经云∶木不及曰委和，委和之纪，其病淫动注恐是也。
内经针灸善恐有三∶
其一取肾。经曰∶肾足少阴之脉，是动病气不足则善恐，心惕惕如人将捕之，虚则补之，寒则留之是也。
其二取肝。经云∶肝虚则目KT KT 无所见，耳无所闻，善恐如人将捕之，取其经厥阴与少阳是也。
其三取胆。经云∶胆病者善太息，口苦，呕宿汁，心下澹澹，恐人将捕之，取阴陵泉。又云∶善呕，呕有
苦，善太息，心中 ，恐人将捕之，邪在胆，逆在胃，胆液泄则口苦，胃气逆则呕苦，故曰呕胆。取三里以
下，胃气逆则少阴血络以闭胆逆，却调其虚实，以去其邪是也。
〔《甲》〕心如悬，哀而乱，善恐，嗌内肿，心惕惕恐如人将捕之，多涎出，喘少气，吸吸不足以息，然谷
主之。澹澹而善惊恐，心悲，内关主之。（《千金》作曲泽。）
恐惧与惊悸症状相似，但实际上并非惊悸。张子和说：惊是因为自己不知道原因（突然受吓），恐是因为自己心里清楚（有所畏惧）。大概惊是听到响声就害怕，恐则是自知好像有人要抓捕自己一样，以至于不能独自坐卧，必须有人陪伴才不感到恐惧，或者晚上一定需要灯光照明，没有灯火也会感到恐惧，就是这种情况。
脏腑引起恐惧的有四种情况：
一是肾。医经说：在五脏中对应肾，在五志中对应恐。又说：精气汇聚于肾则产生恐惧。（条文见虚损条及针灸条。）
二是肝胆。医经说：肝藏血，血不足就会恐惧。戴人（张子和）说：胆代表勇气，受到惊吓害怕则会损伤胆气。大概肝胆实证表现为易怒且勇敢，肝胆虚证则表现为容易发怒但不敢行动。（其余内容见同上。）
三是胃。医经说：胃病会导致恐惧。
四是心。医经说：心神被惊恐忧虑所伤，损伤神志就会导致恐惧且失去自主控制能力。
〔朱丹溪医案〕周本心六十岁，形体和气都充实，因为极度恐惧，正月间染病，心中不安定，好像有人要抓捕自己一样，夜间睡眠也不安稳，两耳后方也见到火光向上炎升，饮食虽然吃下去却不知味道，口干但不想吃东西。用人参、白术、当归身作为主药，陈皮作为辅药，加入盐炒黄柏、炙玄参各少许，煎服后自愈，一个多月后安定下来。（医经说：恐伤肾。丹溪使用盐炒黄柏、炙玄参，引导人参、当归等药物进入补肾的足少阴肾经络脉。）
〔《本草》相关记载〕治疗胆虚经常多畏惧恐惧，不能独自卧床，像被人追捕一样的状态，头部眼睛不利索，用人参散。
人参 枳壳 五味子 桂心 甘菊花 茯神 山茱萸 枸杞子（各三分） 柏子仁 熟地（各一两）
以上研成细末，每次二钱，用温酒调服。
治疗胆虚冷，目眩头疼，心神恐惧畏怯，不能独处，胸中满闷，用茯神散。
茯神（一两） 远志 防风 细辛 白术 前胡 人参 桂心 熟地 甘菊花（各三分） 枳壳（半两）
以上研为末，每次服用三钱，用水一盏，生姜三片，煎至六分，温服，不分老少都适宜服用。
治疗胆虚导致视力昏暗，喉咙痛频繁吐唾沫，眼目眩晕昏冒，五色视觉受阻，梦见被人争讼，因恐惧而面色改变，用补胆防风汤。
防风（一钱） 人参（七分） 细辛 川芎 甘草 茯苓 独活 前胡（各八分）
以上切成粗末，每次四大钱，用水盏半，大枣二枚，煎至八分，去渣，饭前服用。
运气学说方面：容易恐惧都属于肝木虚弱。医经说：木气不及称为委和，委和之年，其病症淫乱动摇并伴有恐惧，就是这样。
《内经》针灸治疗善恐有三种取穴方法：
其一取肾。医经说：肾足少阴经脉，发生变动时若气不足则容易恐惧，心中惕惕不安像有人要抓捕自己，虚证则用补法，寒证则久留针。（原文：寒则留之）
其二取肝。医经说：肝虚则眼睛视物模糊看不清，耳朵听不见声音，容易恐惧像有人要抓捕自己，取厥阴经与少阳经的穴位。
其三取胆。医经说：胆病患者喜欢叹气，口苦，呕吐宿汁，心下悸动不安，害怕别人抓捕自己，取阴陵泉穴。又说：容易呕吐，呕吐物有苦味，喜欢叹气，心中烦闷，害怕别人抓捕自己，邪气在胆，逆气在胃，胆液外泄则口苦，胃气上逆则呕吐苦水，所以叫呕胆。取足三里以下部位，若胃气上逆则闭阻足少阴血络以遏制胆气上逆，进而调理虚实，以去除邪气。
〔《甲乙经》〕心脏像悬挂一样，悲哀而混乱，容易恐惧，咽喉内部肿胀，心中惕惕恐惧像有人要抓捕自己，多流涎水，气喘气短，呼吸急促不足以喘息，然谷穴主治此症。心悸动且容易惊恐，心情悲伤，内关穴主治此症。（《千金方》认为曲泽穴主治。）
Fear is similar to palpitations and fright, but it is essentially different from palpitations. Zhang Zihe stated: Fright arises from the unknown, whereas fear arises from awareness. Generally, fright occurs immediately upon hearing a loud noise, while fear manifests as an awareness that one is about to be caught by someone. It renders the patient unable to sit or lie down alone; they must have company to avoid feeling fearful. They may require a lamp at night, feeling fearful even in the absence of light. This describes the condition of fear.
There are four internal organs associated with fear:
First, the Kidney. The Classics state: "In the zang organs, it corresponds to the Kidney; in the emotions, it corresponds to Fear." It also states: "When essence and qi converge in the Kidney, fear arises." (See sections on Deficiency and Acupuncture.)
Second, the Liver and Gallbladder. The Classics state: "The Liver stores Blood; when Blood is insufficient, fear arises." Dai Ren (Zhang Zihe) said: "The Gallbladder represents courage; being frightened and afraid damages the Gallbladder." Generally, excess in the Liver and Gallbladder leads to anger and bravery, while deficiency leads to irritability and timidity. (See above for details.)
Third, the Stomach. The Classics state: "Stomach pathology leads to fear."
Fourth, the Heart. The Classics state: "If the Spirit is injured by fright, alarm, and overthinking, the Spirit is damaged, leading to fear and loss of self-control."
[Case by Zhu Danxi] Zhou Benxin, aged sixty, had robust physical constitution and Qi. Due to extreme fear, he fell ill in January. He felt uneasy in his heart, as if someone were chasing him. His sleep was restless at night, and he perceived flames rising behind both ears. Although he could eat and drink, he lost the sense of taste. His mouth was dry, yet he had no appetite. Using Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), and Dang Gui Shen (Angelica Sinensis Root Tip) as the sovereign drugs, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) as the minister drug, and adding a small amount of salt-fried Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark) and roasted Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root), he recovered after decoction and administration, stabilizing after more than a month. (The Classics state: Fear injures the Kidney. Danxi used salt-fried Huang Bo and roasted Xuan Shen to guide Ren Shen and Dang Gui into the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian collaterals to tonify the Kidney.)
[From *Bencao*] To treat Gallbladder deficiency characterized by frequent fear and dread, inability to lie down alone, a sensation as if being chased, and visual/ocular discomfort, use Ren Shen San (Ginseng Powder).
Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange Fruit), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry), Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart), Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower), Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) [each 3 fen]; Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed), Shu Di (Prepared Rehmannia Root) [each 1 liang].
Grind into fine powder. Take 2 qian per dose, mixed with warm wine.
To treat Cold-Gallbladder-Deficiency presenting with vertigo, headache, mental fear and dread, inability to stay alone, and chest fullness, use Fu Shen San (Poria Powder).
Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) [1 liang]; Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Xi Xin (Asarum Root), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Qian Hu (Peucedanum Root), Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Gui Xin (Cinnamon Twig Heart), Shu Di (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower) [each 3 fen]; Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange Fruit) [0.5 liang].
Grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose with 1 cup of water and 3 slices of fresh ginger, decoct until reduced to 60%, and take warm. Suitable for all ages.
To treat Gallbladder Deficiency causing dim vision, sore throat with frequent spitting, vertigo and dizziness, visual obstruction by colors, dreams of litigation, and facial color changes due to fear, use Bu Dan Fang Feng Tang (Tonify Gallbladder Saposhnikovia Decoction).
Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root) [1 qian]; Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) [7 fen]; Xi Xin (Asarum Root), Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens Root), Qian Hu (Peucedanum Root) [each 8 fen].
Grind into coarse powder. Take 4 da qian per dose with 1.5 cups of water and 2 jujubes, decoct until reduced to 80%, strain, and take before meals.
Regarding Six Qi Transformation: Excessive fear belongs to Liver Wood deficiency. The Classics state: "Wood deficiency is called Wei He (Compliant Harmony). In the era of Wei He, diseases involve erratic movement and fear."
Acupuncture treatment for excessive fear according to the *Nei Jing* involves three approaches:
First, targeting the Kidney. The Classics say: "The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian... If Qi is deficient, there is excessive fear, and the heart feels alarmed as if someone is chasing them. For deficiency, apply tonification; for cold, retain the needle."
Second, targeting the Liver. The Classics state: "Liver deficiency causes blurred vision and deafness, and excessive fear as if someone is chasing them. Treat the Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians."
Third, targeting the Gallbladder. The Classics state: "Gallbladder disease presents with frequent sighing, bitter taste, vomiting of old fluids, palpitations in the epigastrium, and fear of being chased. Treat Yinlingquan (SP9)." It further states: "Frequent vomiting with bitter fluid, frequent sighing, mental restlessness, and fear of being chased indicate pathogenic factors in the Gallbladder and rebellious Qi in the Stomach. Leakage of Gallbladder juice causes bitter taste; rebellious Stomach Qi causes vomiting of bitter fluid, termed 'Vomiting Gallbladder.' Treat below Zusanli (ST36); if Stomach Qi rebels, close the Foot-Shaoyin blood collaterals to restrain Gallbladder rebellion, then regulate excess and deficiency to eliminate pathogens."
[From *Jia Yi Jing*] When the heart feels suspended, accompanied by sorrow and confusion, excessive fear, swelling inside the throat, heart alarm and fear as if chased, excessive salivation, asthma with shortness of breath, and rapid shallow breathing, Ran Gu (KI2) governs these symptoms. Palpitations with excessive fear and sadness are governed by Neiguan (PC6). (*Qian Jin Fang* suggests Quze (PC3)).