Role of Ayurveda in management of mental disorder

Abstract

Psychological disorder, include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, convulsion, Alzheimer disorder Parkinson’s disease epilepsy, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) etc .WHO stated that depression will be second leading cause of morbidity and disability worldwide up to2020. In present era due to changes in life style, diet habit lead to various psychological illness. It is found that, 10 percent of Indian population above the age of 18 suffers from various kind of psychological illness, which induces psychological pain. Psychological pain are associated with feeling of guilt, anguish, fear, anger, loneliness and helplessness .Treatment given commonly is expensive and accompanied with serious unavoidable side effect such as insomnia, mood changes, dizziness, irritability, obesity etc. So many people prefers Ayurvedic treatment which is safe, cost effective, reliable with minimum or no side effect. Depression and anxiety is commonly seen in chronic pain condition7 As the physical pain increases, mental pain also elevated. Ayurveda explain holistic approach to treat psychological illness .Psychological illness and physical illness are interdependent to each other. Satwa (balance), raja (Arrogance), tama (Indolence) are three guna of manas (mind). Rajas and tamas are called manas dosha. Imbalance in these dosha lead to mental disorder. Whereas Vata, Pitta, Kapha are sharir dosha, imbalance of these dosha lead to physical illness and psychological illness too. Ayurveda explain Satvavjaya (Psychotherapy) Chikitsa, Panchkarma Procedure (Bio-Cleansing five therapy) and behavioral therapy to treat psychological illness.