Objective To discuss syndrome characteristics of mental type high altitude deterioration. Methods We investigated and diagnosed on the plateau’s migrated Han youths and set 187 patients who met the diagnosis of mental type high altitude deterioration into high altitude deterioration group

while 31 patients who didn’t meet the diagnosis but with hemoglobin（ Hb） concentration less than 210 g / L

mean pulmonary artery pressure less than25 mm Hg into high altitude healthy group. A total of 86 healthy Han youths who lived in the plain（ an altitude of463m） was chosen into plain healthy group additionally. Syndrome differentiation of high altitude deterioration group suggested heart-spleen deficiency

heart-kidney disharmony and kidney yang deficiency. We studied the frequency of symptoms of high altitude deterioration group

tested red blood cells count and hematocrit of all groups

and analyzed distribution of different syndromes at different altitudes and migration time. Results In 187 patients

there are 97 cases of heart-spleen deficiency syndrome

51 cases of heart-kidney disharmony

39 cases of kidney yang deficiency.In the 24 symptoms mentioned by TCM syndrome differentiation

the top ten symptoms in frequency are obliviousness

cyanosis of nails

cyanosis of lips

decreased attention

insomnia

tinnitus

lack of appetite

fatigue

gum bleeding

palpitation

dizziness. In high altitude deterioration group

patients with the syndrome of heart-spleen deficiency

heart-kidney disharmony and kidney yang deficiency showed inceased red blood cells count and hematocrit comparing with those of plain healthy group and high altitude healthy group（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Distribution of different syndromes at different altitudes suggests no significance statistically（ P > 0. 05）. The difference of syndrome distribution in patients migrated to the plateau for 1 and 2 years and patients migrated to the plateau for more than 3 years was statistically significant（ P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Mental type high altitude deterioration is based on the deficiency of heart

spleen and liver

with a character of carrying blood stasis. With longer time living on the plateau

pathologic location gradually changes to mainly kidney.