Ayurvedic Management of Acute Dissociative Reactions to Stressful Life Events - A Case Study

Mental diseases known as dissociative disorders are characterised by a sense of discontinuity and separation from one's thoughts, memories, environment, activities, and identity. People with dissociative disorders unintentionally and unhealthily flee reality, which makes it difficult for them to carry on with daily activities. Dissociative identity disorder (DID, sometimes known as multiple personality disorder), fugue, "psychogenic" or "functional" amnesia, and depersonalization disorder are examples of dissociative disorders. Other specified dissociative disorder is subcategory of dissociative disorders that describes presentations in which symptoms are typical of a dissociative disorder but do not fully match the diagnostic criteria for any of the illnesses in the diagnostic class of dissociative disorders. In Ayurveda this condition can be considered as Unmada. 34 year female patient hailing from Malappuram, Kerala, brought to Manasanthi OPD of VPSV Ayurveda College, Kottakka,l by husband and relatives complains of lack of desire to live, wants to end her life, loss of sleep, difficulty to walk and doing daily activities since 3 days. She was very much concerned about the behavioural issues and wellbeing of her elder son since 12 years. According to the informant, the patient was having increased tension, repeated talking about her elder son, making loud noises and suicidal thoughts. Also, she had an attempt to suicide. She was treated on an IP level with a combination of Ayurvedic internal medications and Panchakarma procedures. The treatment protocol includes Snehapana, Virecana, Nasya, Shirodhara, and Dhoopana. Satvavajaya methods including Yoga also administered. There were considerable relief from symptoms and HAM D score was reduced from 21 to 6.

Geriatric Depression in India; Causes and Solutions: An Ayurveda Perspective

Geriatric Depression (GD) prevalence rate is on the rise as is the geriatric population in India. It can be correlated to Kaphaja Unmada in Ayurveda based on its causes and symptoms. GD patients have symptoms like Mandavakchesta (slowing of speech and actions), Tushnibhava (depressed look), Anaannabhilasha (disinclination for food). GD has several causative factors like decreased physical agility, cognitive decline, lack of financial liberty, social isolation, long standing diseases and medicines etc. Following the surge of industrialization, urbanization like western countries after 1980s, the family systems and values in India have changed. Nuclear families are on rise and elderlies in families are considered as burden. Contrastingly, earlier elderlies were regarded as source of wisdom and guidance. This study is an attempt to go through all the possible literature offline and online to find out the causes and solutions of GD in India. Findings showed that along with the common causative factors related to the old age in elderlies, ignorance from younger family members is also equally important. GD is a psychosomatic disease, so treatments approach involving the body, mind, family dynamics and values using family psychotherapies and psychoeducation, Medhya rasayana and if needed modern psychiatric medication can address all types of GD and related mental health problems in India.

A Review on Asura Graha Unmada with Contemporary View

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, occupational field or financial affairs. Narcissistic personality disorder individual generally unhappy and disappointed. They believe they deserve admiration. According to Acharya Charak, Unnmad, is the Manasvyadhi is which understood as the disturbed condition of the Manas (mind), Buddhi (understanding), Samjna (consciousness), Gynana (perception), Smriti (memory), Bhakti (inclination), Sheela (character), Chesta (behaviour), and Achara (conduct). As a result, Citta gets disturbed and in turn causes impairment of Budhhi. Due to this, the individual person feels different sign and symptoms like loss of confidence, irrelevant talk, biased willing and thinking, deprived memory, decision and responsiveness. The signs and symptoms of Asura Graha Unmada (AG) such as Jihma Drishtim, Dushtaatmaanaam, Krodhanam, Atruptam, Sasweda Gaatram, Deva, Braahmana, Guru Dveshinam, etc show similarity with deceitfulness, exploitation, antisocial, aggressiveness, impulsivity, negative emotionality, grandiosity, dysphoria, alcohol abuse, and physical violence features commonly found in various personality disorders such as Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD) , Bipolar Disorder (BD), and NPD and others personality disorder or comorbid condition among them. Manasa Vyadhi, Graha Rogas are less focused topic in Ayurveda. The aim of this article to explain Asura Graha Unmada and its correlation with contemporary view. After proper review it is concluded that the signs and symptoms of Asura Graha (AG) Unmada such as Jihma Drishtim, Dushtaatmaanaam, Krodhanam, Atruptam, Sasweda Gaatram, Deva, Braahmana, Guru Dveshinam, etc shows similarity with various personality disorders.

Ayurvedic Management on Manoavsada (Depression): Case Report

Among all the psychological disorders, depression is the most common mental disorder nowadays. According to WHO, approximately 280 million people have depression worldwide. In Ayurvedic classics Vishada and Avasada are the two mentioned conditions which have close resemblance with depression. Acharaya Charak quote “Vishado Rogavardhanam” i.e., it is the most foremost factor to worsen the condition of any disease. It comes under one of the eight Vataja nanatmaja vikaras which indicate that it cannot occur without the involvement of Vata dosha. In modern science there are enormous drugs for treatment of mental disorders but with so many adverse effects. The prolong consumption of these medications leads the patient more dreadful condition which became fatal at later stage. Acharya charak has quoted the definition of best treatment in Charak Samhita. He explains that the treatment that cures any diseases without causing any morbid condition or side effect said to be the best treatment. In this case study we try to explain the impact of Satvavjyachikitsha along with Samshaman and other Panchkarma procedures as given in the patient. The result came out as an eye opener about the experience made in this case without any side effects.

Ayurvedic Management of Moderate Depressive Disorder- A Case Report

Depressive disorders are highly prevalent mental disorders characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-esteem, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness and poor concentration. About 300 million people are estimated to suffer from depression at a global level and in India the figures approximate to about 45.7 million. As per WHO, depression will be the leading cause of burden of disease by 2030 and the prevalence, incidence, and the morbidity risk of depression appears to be more in females than males. A 42-year-old lady presented with primary concerns of increased thoughts, decreased sleep, discomfort in stomach, abdominal distension, increased fatigue, decreased appetite and increased tension. Detailed interview with her husband and parents revealed that she had increased thoughts, slowness in performing activities, inability to do day to day works, reduced memory and concentration, increased anger towards her husband, mother and daughter, reluctance to have food and reduced social mingling. Based on the observations made in the level of affective and behavioural domains, diagnosis of depressive disorder - current episode moderate was eventually done as per the diagnostic criteria mentioned in International Classification of Disease 10. In Ayurveda, the condition was diagnosed as Kaphaja Unmada based on the typical symptoms. The treatment protocol including Snehapana, Vamana, Virechana and Vasthi was administered. The mental status of the patient was also addressed during the treatment period and Satvavajaya measures including individual and family counseling methods were administered. There was significant improvement in the Becks Depression Inventory score and Q – LES – Q – SF questionnaire after the intervention.

Probable Mode Of Action Of Kalyanaka Ghrita In Unmada (insanity) Based On Analysis Of Rasa Panchaka Of Ingredients- A Review

Aim: This review article is an attempt to analyse the probable mode of action of Kalyanaka ghrita in psychiatric conditions. Background: Unmada is a term that represents broad classes of mental ailments in Ayurvedic literature. Mental disorders impose an enormous burden on society, accounting for almost one in three years lived with disability globally. According to the WHO, every year, almost one million people die from suicide; a "global" mortality rate of 16 per 1,00,000 or one death every 40 seconds. Kalyanaka ghrita is a time tested and clinically proven polyherbal formulation which is widely and effectively used by Ayurvedic physicians in the management of psychiatric conditions. Results: While analysing the Rasapanchaka (Ayurvedic Principles of Drug-Action), it is found that of the 28 ingredients, 15 drugs are having Tikta rasa, 22 with Laghu guna, 19 with Ushna veerya and 18 with Katu vipaka. Considering Doshaharatwa, 12 drugs are Kaphapittahara. All these properties are against Kapha dosha. Conclusion: Kalyanaka ghrita may be more effective in the management of Kaphaja unmada, among all the 6 varieties of Unmada. Clinical Significance: Analysis of mode of action leads us to the inference that Kalyanaka ghrita may be more effective in the management of Kaphaja unmada, characterised by slow or weak voice and body movements, anorexia, desire for women (sex) and solitude, excessive sleep, vomiting, dribbling of saliva, symptoms pronounced just after intake of food, whitish discoloration of nails constitute Kaphaja unmada, a classical example being depression.