DEPRESSION AND AYURVEDA


Modern inventions and communication has made today’s world a global village but are we communicating enough? Are we talking what we want to talk or talking what others want to hear? Are we expressing our feelings? World may have become a village but the families are becoming nuclear. The rat race for wealth name and fame had made us forget who we are. This is one of the reasons for the alarming rise of depression in India. Depression which was once known to be common among middle aged people now has been diagnosed even in school going kids.

                A study shows that men are more depressed than women, but does not admit it. The suicide rate among men is four times higher than women. 



Am I depressed?
  Feeling down and a feeling of let down that lasts for more than 2 weeks

 Change in sleep pattern feeling sleepy always or no sleep at all

 Feeling guilty and feeling sad with no proper reason

 Mood changes like feeling to cry out loud or anger

 Feeling lost even amidst friends

  No interest in any work

  Suicidal thoughts

If you have any one or more of these symptoms then you can be depressed. 


Depression may manifest as

Ø  Greif after the loss of loved once

Ø  Post natal blues after delivery in most women

Ø  Too much stress from work and family

Ø   Imbalance in the brain and body functions

Ø   Mood changes with weather changes especially in winter



AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF DEPRESSION
                The general guna (or quality) of mind is satvik guna (calm) and rajas (anger) and tamas are the dosas of mind. When tamas takes over the person becomes depressed.

                The main reason for depression according to  Ayurveda is not following the dina charya (daily routine) properly and abuse of the power of mind and body, leads to the derangement of the vata pitta and kapha(the bodily dosas) and the mano dosas (rajas and tamas).

Most patients come with the complaint of lack of sleep and stress so just prescribing direct medicines do not work. A detailed history of the patients work and family is obtained. According to the patient’s condition and prakriti (body constitution) medicines are prescribed.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION

  virechana (purgation)

 shirovasthi (making a pool of oil in the head)

 shirodhara  (synchronized oil dripping on the fore head) 

 nasyam   (nasal medication to stimulate the brain0
  
abhyanga (relaxation body massage)

INTRENAL MEDICATION FOR DEPRESSION

Medicines prepared with  bhrami, vacha,  ashwagandha, shangapuspi ,manduka parni  etc have shown good result.

          Friends and family members of the affected are also counseled.Patients who do not accept that they are depressed are counseled and treated for stress it may be more depressing to them when they are told that they are depressed.


Simple life style changes to get rid and prevent depression

Ø  Talk what you feel and think to your loved one or a therapist or to your family doctor

Ø  Eat healthy food

Ø  Do not go for sleeping pills at the first try

Ø  Start doing what you love like a hobby or work outs

Ø  Get fresh air

Ø  Quit the thing that’s bugging you and opt for a stress free environment

Ø  Above all accepting that you are depressed and seeking solution



Note
Inform any doctor about the medicines you are taking for sleeping or any other mental condition. It’s not advisable to stop or start any medication either ayurvedic or allopathic for any illness on your own. It may lead to adverse effects especially in depression

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