How to Notice The Signs of Fear In Acupuncture Patients
An patient who is afraid of what is being discussed but not openly expressing it has a 'contracting' energy.
There is much less of a feeling of openness and flow in interactions with them when discussing the 'scary' issue.
Body signs: There might be a felt sense of constriction in your own body that mirrors their internal armouring and guardedness so it is really important to ground yourself and to be rooted and mindful when you are discussing.
If you are not and are also lost in your own thoughts or the interaction it is very easy to miss these internal cues.
External cues: Outwardly one might notice momentary flashes of fear when the intensity of the fear inside them overcomes their capacity to hide it but this 'window inside' disappears very quickly as they reassert control so being alert and alive to small signs is important.
The face is a key area, with the eyes momentarily widening as the 'scary' thing becomes current.
They can display watchfulness; frequently flicking eyes and watchful glances but these signs are not usually very overt, the nature of the fearful person is that they don't want people to know they are afraid because this is exposing and so would lead to greater fear.
The consequence is that the emotion is kept 'hidden'.
Voice: The voice might become more groaning as fear comes into play (see Chinese medicine five element voice types).
This happens because keeping the rising fear constrained causes other aspects of their energy to become more constricted, the voice is a window on this inner reality.
For Water constitutional types, this is a life-long pattern and so they can be extremely adept at keeping the emotion hidden.
This applies even to themselves and so asking them about fear is not a reliable way to assess their relationship to the emotion.
Other physical clues to the underlying fear response could be:
They show confidence and ease and it is this natural flow to the feeling of interactions with them that is the most telling sign that they are OK with whatever is being discussed.
People who can openly acknowledge that they are afraid of something are not likely to be Water constitutional types.
They would not show signs of physical arousal whereas a person who is afraid would be sure to.
There is much less of a feeling of openness and flow in interactions with them when discussing the 'scary' issue.
Body signs: There might be a felt sense of constriction in your own body that mirrors their internal armouring and guardedness so it is really important to ground yourself and to be rooted and mindful when you are discussing.
If you are not and are also lost in your own thoughts or the interaction it is very easy to miss these internal cues.
External cues: Outwardly one might notice momentary flashes of fear when the intensity of the fear inside them overcomes their capacity to hide it but this 'window inside' disappears very quickly as they reassert control so being alert and alive to small signs is important.
The face is a key area, with the eyes momentarily widening as the 'scary' thing becomes current.
They can display watchfulness; frequently flicking eyes and watchful glances but these signs are not usually very overt, the nature of the fearful person is that they don't want people to know they are afraid because this is exposing and so would lead to greater fear.
The consequence is that the emotion is kept 'hidden'.
Voice: The voice might become more groaning as fear comes into play (see Chinese medicine five element voice types).
This happens because keeping the rising fear constrained causes other aspects of their energy to become more constricted, the voice is a window on this inner reality.
For Water constitutional types, this is a life-long pattern and so they can be extremely adept at keeping the emotion hidden.
This applies even to themselves and so asking them about fear is not a reliable way to assess their relationship to the emotion.
Other physical clues to the underlying fear response could be:
- 'cold sweat' - e.
g.
clammy hands - Heart racing or pounding
- Flushing of the face and neck.
- Rapidity in talking and/or pressure of speech.
- Shallower, higher breathing than normal.
- Restlessness or agitation.
- In-congruent irritability
- Frequent urination
They show confidence and ease and it is this natural flow to the feeling of interactions with them that is the most telling sign that they are OK with whatever is being discussed.
People who can openly acknowledge that they are afraid of something are not likely to be Water constitutional types.
They would not show signs of physical arousal whereas a person who is afraid would be sure to.
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