Based on analysis of the relationship between depression and seven emotions,etiopathogenisis and pathogenesis of depression,the relationship between depression and stagnation of liver qi,it showed that depression had highly correlation with sorrow,grief.The etiopathogenisis and pathogenesis of depression included body factor,exogenous pathogen,associated diseases,social psychic factor,etc.The essence of primary depression,endogenous depression and depressive emotion with dysthymia was deficient,and yang-deficinecy was the key pathologic basis.Exogenous evil was an indirect cause of depression.Because depressive emotion had connection with stagnation of liver qi at some extent,it should distinguish depression from stagnation of liver qi.

[Objective] To analyse medication rule for depression,and explore the mechanism and treatment features.[Method] On the basis of dealing 235 formulae with net technical,make analysis on drugs type,use frequency,nature and compatibility.[Result] The drugs can be divided into disease(1)and sign(2)differentiation medications,most drugs of 2 are Qi--and Yang-notifying;the natures are mainly sweet,bitter and warm,belonging to 5 organs.Notifying Qi and Yang,soothing the nerves are the main therapy for depression.[Conclusion] Depression belongs to deficient cold disease,deficient Yang Qi;not being able to rise is the mechanism;notifying Qi and warming Yang is the key basis for it.