CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RAJASWALA CHARYA IN RELATION WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) IN CHILDREN - A SURVEY STUDY

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is the commonest neurological disorder that affects the behaviour of children.1 World Health Organization put forth that, mental disorders are to shoot up by 50% in 2020 at international level. Indian studies rate the psychopathology among children as 5-15% and ADHD has the highest incidence among all the other developmental disorders2. There is no disease by the name ADHD described in Ayurveda, but some conditions of abnormal behaviour can be screened from Ayurvedic literature like Anavasthita Chittatva3, Manovibhrama4, Buddhivibhrama5, Smritivibhrama 4, Sheelavibhrama6 Cheshtavibrama7, and Acharavibhrama. It is found that emergence of the ADHD does not follow a single responsible factor7 and thus a single line of treatment does not cure it7,2. The prevalence of ADHD is increased recently, and people started turning to alternative and complementary medicine especially Ayurveda, it is worthwhile to understand the probable aetiology to prevent the emergence of disease. It is known that the Rajaswala period is the largest and most important period among women's life and need to be healthy in this phase to have a better progeny. But in the present era, women are in hurry to reach the mainstream of society and under much physical and mental stress ends up with lack of care on their health even during menstruation which may lead to ill effect in later life8. This study is to put light on the importance of following regimens and avoiding Apathyas especially during menstruation explained in Ayurvedic classics concerning ADHD. Keywords: Rajaswala, ADHD, paricharya