AYURVEDA AND MENTAL HEALTH

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AYURVEDA AND MENTAL HEALTH

• AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH
• Dr. (Vaidya) Jaya Daptardar BAMS, MHA

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Ayurveda and Mental Health

• What is Ayurveda ?
• Mental Health is one of the eight divisions of
  Ayurveda.
• The four components of life.

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The philosophy of creation of intelligence in
human beings.

• According to Ayurveda, the source of all
  existence is Universal Cosmic Consciousness.
• Purusha is a male energy.
• Prakruti is a female energy.
• Creation of whole universe happens through their
  love.
• Prakruti is a devine mother of all of nature.

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The philosophy of creation of intelligence in
human beings

• In the manifestation of nature from female energy
  (Prakruti), the first expression is intelligence
  of cosmic order (Mahad).
• In human beings it is referred as intelligence
  (buddhi).
• Next is ego (Ahankar) , the sense of self
  identity, the center in our consciousness from
  which we think, act and react.

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• Ancient Ayurvedic Guru Sushrutas
• Opinion about the location of mind in our body

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• The mind is functionally divided in to
• Ego ( Ahankara), will (Ichha),and intellect
  (Buddhi).
• Desire is directed by ego, controls the mind. The
  intellect takes the decisions

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Qualities of Mind

• Equilibrium (Satwa) is responsible for knowledge,
  acquisition and reasoning.
• Activity (Rajas) is the initiator and provides
  the essentials for initiation of thought.
• Inertia (Tamas) provides a calming, soothing
  effect and in a normal stage becomes the brake
  which controls the overactive rajas and reasoning
  satwa.
• A balance of these three is essential for a
  healthy state of mind. When this balance is lost
  totally we have mental disorders.

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State of Mind

• The ideal state of mind is Satvic.
• Rajas is the active force behind the
  movement of both sensory and motor organs.
• Tamas gives rise to the five elements, which
  form the basis of material creation
•   Ayurveda also says that negative feelings
  are emotional toxins. If they are not taken out
  of the body in a proper way and time, they give
  rise to chronic mental disorders like anxiety,
  neurosis, and depression.

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Signs of Healthy Mind

• Taking the proper diet at the proper time
  according to the body type
• Healthy memory
• Awareness of responsibilities
• Following good values
• Self- awareness and responsibilities and beyond
  self
• Maintaining self-hygiene and cleanliness
• Staying active
• Fearlessness
• Doing things enthusiastically
• Perseverance

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Disorders

• Our mind controls our body. The mind is
  responsible for perception, thinking,
  understanding, and taking the right decision at
  the right time. If the mind is sick, then the
  body mind apparatus is in danger.
• When the mind is in a status of health, it
  contains positive feelings like love, affection,
  sharing, and caring. Due to improper diet and
  actions, the natural state of mind is disturbed
  and these positive feelings are driven out. They
  then give place to negative feelings like those
  of anger, jealousy, cruelty, and laziness that
  lead to mental disorders. 
• Ayurveda mentions improper actions like
  overindulgence in sex, severe mental or physical
  stress, unfavorable personal, familial and social
  environment in the causes of mental disorders.
  All these leads to disturbed health. 

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Three forces with in the body (Dosha) and three
qualities of the mind (Guna) relationship

• Three forces within the body.
• Three qualities of mind .
• Mental diseases can be defined as an abnormal
  mental conditions characterized by impairment of
  general mental conditions, weak psyche, imbalance
  in body and mind Dosha or mind Dosha alone or
  disturbance in the channels of the mind.
• Doshas are determined by birth but Gunas
  (qualities) can be influenced by environment and
  nutrition.
• Foods, animals, plants and activities can all be
  described by their Gunas, properties.
• Satvic food.
• Rajasic food
• Tamasic food
• Ayurveda states that good health comes from
  reducing rajas and Tamas and increasing satwa in
  every aspect of our lives.

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Psychological Conditions

• Psychological conditions caused purely by mental
  disorders are Kama (lust), Krodh (anger), Lobh
  (greed), Moha (delusion), Irsha (jealousy), Mana
  (pride), Mada (euphoria), Shoka (sorrow), Chinta
  (anxiety), Udvega (neurosis), Bhaya(fear), Harsha
  (Over excitement).
• The psychiatric conditions caused by a
  combination of physical and mental disorders,
  psychosis, convulsive disorders, hysteria,
  obsession, illusion, drowsiness , alcoholism,
  hypochondriasis .

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Personality disorders

• Person suffering from mental disorders becomes
  incapable of conducting himself / herself
  according to situational demands and social
  norms.
• A few physical symptoms like tremors, irregular
  eyeball movements, oblivion of ones own body,
  excessive perspiration and salivation may
  accompany these behavioral aberrations. Seeking
  attention and avoiding attention are two extremes
  of the mental pendulum. All the in-between stages
  like diverting attention, and distracting
  attention are seen in various mental or
  psychosomatic disorders.
• Purposeless movements or compulsive, obsessive
  movements can also be observed at times. Other
  conditions are mental retardation of various
  degrees, psychiatric gerontological disorders or
  psychosomatic diseases. 

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Causes

• Many diverse reasons cause mental imbalance.
  Emotional stress, occupational stress, trauma,
  poor upbringing, repressive religion, influence
  from disturbed individuals, sexual abuse or
  perversion, drugs, excess thinking are some
  reasons. All these impure actions cause too much
  anger, hate, fear, nervousness, worry, apathy,
  dullness, and sleeplessness.

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Dosha Symptoms for Mental disorders

•  Doshas are three mind/body principles in our
  body which creates our specific Mental and
  physical characteristics
• Vata symptoms (ehter,air) insomnia, anger,
  fearfulness, mood swings, insanity,
  schizophrenia. 
• Pitta symptoms (water,fire) anger, blaming
  others, aggravation, always fight full
• Kapha symptoms (water,earth) Day dream/sleep,
  excess sleep, low motivation, always dependent.

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Ayurveda and Substance Abuse Problems

• Substance abuse is also related to behavioral
  health. Ayurveda strongly recommends avoiding
  alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and intoxicating
  substances.
• Yoga, Meditation and breathing exercises are also
  used in drug and alcoholic addiction therapies.
  Very hot, spicy food and too much of
  non-vegetarian items should be avoided.
• Cow milk, homemade ghee, apples, pineapples,
  grapes, etc. are recommended
• Social interaction is recommended. It is also
  important to keep the patient busy in some
  activities.Sport activities are also recommended.
  Positive thinking, family support and keeping
  control over the tempers and tantrums help the
  patient to recover. 

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Treatment for Mental Illness

• Treatment of Mental illness mainly includes
  psychotherapy using drugs, diet and life style
  management. 
• The treatment is classified into three
  methods.
•  
• The first one is when the quality of mind
  unbalanced by emotional disturbances treated by
  psycho-behavioral therapy. (Daivayapashraya in
  Ayurveda) includes chanting of mantras,
  performances of various homas (sacrifices),
  fasting, strict behavioral regimen,
• Offering prayers, controlling
  particular diet or habits play an important role
  in controlling tamas and rajas activity of the
  mind, establishing a satwa predominant state,
  which is essential for the normal and healthy
  functioning of the mind.
•  

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• 2. The second one is when body and mind dosha are
  unbalanced where the clinical manifestations
  appear as physical illness and are relieved only
  when emotional disturbances are overcome with
  behavioral therapy.
• When primary involvement is physical illness
  subsequently mental impairment treated mainly
  with drugs and psycho-behavioral therapies.
• That is Satwavajaya in Ayurveda. Involves efforts
  to control the abnormal mental activity by
  practice of yama (code of conduct), niyama
  (strict behavioral regimen), asana (various yogic
  postures) which are helpful in imparting
  stability to both body and mind) and pranyama
  (control of breath) which blockages the cause of
  disease and dhyana (meditation and concentration)
•  

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• 3. The third one is when both mind and body
  dosha are unbalanced which takes a long time to
  treat with both drugs and behavioral therapies.
• Yuktivyapashraya in Ayurveda. This modality
  involves the judicious use of medicines and diet,
  it is broadly classified into two groups namely
  shodhana and shamana.

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Ayurveda Preventative Approach

• Ayurveda treat individuals according to their
  unique physical constitution indicated by the
  combination of tridosha along with the mental,
  social and environmental conditions that affect
  them.
• Ayurveda focuses on prevention of illness,
  promotion of health and longevity for which
  charaka and Susruta recommended a life-style
  consisting of dinacharya (daily routine) and
  rutucharya (seasonal activities), involving diet,
  exercise
• Meditation and virtuous qualities.
• Though Ayurveda is essentially preventive in
  approach, it has a comprehensive system of
  curative medicine. Charak Samhitas formulae
  involve purification, pacification and remove the
  cause.
• Therapeutic measures to cleanse the body is
  called panchakarma.

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Panchkarma

• Panchakarma means five types of therapeutic
  measures. It is effectively used in all kinds of
  mental illnesses. PANCHA KARMA therapy is divided
  into 3 sub types
• 1) Poorva Karma (Preparation)2) Pradhana Karma
  (Main Procedure)3) Paschat Karma (Post Procedure)

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Poorva Karma( Preparation)

• A) DEEPANA PACHANA (Digestion)
• B) SNEHANA (OLEATION)
• C) SVEDANA (STEAM THERAPY)

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Pradhana Karma (Main Procedure)

• Vamana (vomiting)
• Virechana (purgation)
• Basti (enema therapy)
• Nasya (Nasal medication)
• Shirodhara medicated water, herbal oils and
  medicated milk are poured on the forehead through
  a special method for 30 to 45 minutes.

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Paschat Karma (Post Procedure)

• Post pancha karma care after eliminating the
  toxins by using the PANCHA KARMA process, a
  special diet regimen and life style is advised
  like laghu ahara which gets digested easily and
  then slowly gradually the person is advised.

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Remedies

• Life style management is the important part in a
  healthy mind, which includes rising early in the
  morning, practicing yoga postures, breathing
  exercises and meditation.
• An oil-head massage calms and nourishes the mind.
  Oils of Sandalwood, sesame, coconut, basil, sage
  and mint all clear the sensory channels and
  promote perception, application of oils to the
  neck and shoulders, relaxes nerves. 
• A few drops of medicated ghee, using calamus or
  gotu kola, are places in the nostrils to sooth
  mental activities medicated enemas are also used
  for vata doshas. 

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Aromas

• Incense or oils of sandalwood, camphor and
  cedar, cleanse the psychic environment. Myrrh and
  frankincense remove negative thinking and purify
  the air. Rose and lotus calm and nourish the
  heart. Jasmine cleanses the emotions and
  increases love and compassion. Gardenia purifies
  heart.
• In Ayurveda stress and depression are laid on
  prevention of diseases and curative aspects play
  a secondary role. Therefore great emphasis is
  laid on correct behavior, proper diet, attending
  to natural urges, control of psychological
  activities and the observance of daily as well as
  seasonal regimen to prevent diseases.

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Ayurvedic Medicines for Mental Health

• There are herbs in Ayurveda to promote the
  intellect and deeply nourish the neurological
  tissues. They are nervine tonics.
• The medhya rasayanas enhance biological
  nourishment of the brain, producing tranquility
  of mind, concentration and improved memory.
• For example, Ashwagandha, shankhapushpi
  (convolvulus microphyllus), Bramhi (Bacopa
  moniera). Almond is a very good mental tonic. All
  herbs should be taken under licensed physicians
  advice

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Sources

• http//www.psychehealth.com/ayurveda3.htm 
• http//www.lifepositive.com/body/ayurveda/ayurveda
  -healing_the_mind 22005.asp 
• http//www.aarogya.com 
• Dr. Vasant Lad Complete book of Ayurvedic home
  remedies.
• httpwww.nzhealth.net.nz/ayurveda/psychiatry.shtml
   
• Disclaimer The sole purpose of this article is
  to provide accurate information about Ayurvedic
  theories. This information is not intended for
  use in the prevention, treatment, or cure of any
  disease. If you have any serious, acute or
  chronic health concerns, please consult your
  family physician or health care provider who can
  fully assess your individual needs and provide
  the care you require. The contents of this
  article may not be reproduced in part or whole
  without the permission of the author.

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Disclaimer

• The sole purpose of this article is to
  provide an educational information about
  Ayurvedic theories. This information is not
  intended for use in the prevention, treatment, or
  cure of any disease. If you have any serous acute
  or chronic health concerns, please consult your
  family physician or healthcare provider
• who can fully assess your individual needs
  and provide the care you require.
• The contents of this article may not be
  reproduce in part or the whole with out the
  permission of the author.

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