Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-13, 2016 (Special Issue) ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Science and Technology Connecting Health, Management and Society.

Mental health - An Ayurvedic perspective

Dr. V. Rajendra Prof & Head, Department of Medicine (Kayachikitsa) Govt. Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka. India. 570001

Abstract: Mind (Manas) is considered as one Ayurveda incorporated into it, the spiritual and among the three integral parts of human existence philosophical ideas of Veda and Darshana, it gave (Ayu), the other two being the body(Shareera) and mental health its scientific spirit. It focussed only the spirit(Chetana). The knowledge of mind and such portions which proved to be useful in practical human behaviour in its normal and abnormal application. After it established itself as a separate status, ways of maintaining positive mental health system of rational & scientific medicine with and management of mental disorders has been an (1C BC) as its first authentic important part of Indian traditional medical system literature Ayurveda started a thorough probe on since its inception. every aspect of mind; both in its normal and Ayurvedic concept of mental health management abnormal states. has detail descriptions of various therapeutic and psychotherapeutic procedures and techniques Manasaroga Bheshaja which represents the clinical emphasising insight, self-regulation, mental health psychology and of Ayurveda was education and higher awareness. probably an area of specialization during ancient The Etio - pathology, diagnosis and management of times. The statement of that various psychiatric disorders has been illustrated patients of mental disorders are to be referred to in ayurvedic literature. Three modalities of and treated by Manasaroga Bheshaja Vedi ( A management viz Yuktivyapashraya (Medicines and physician specialised in treating mental illness ) 3 therapeutic procedures), fortifies this opinion . Satvavajaya(psychotherapy and counselling) & Daivavyapashraya(Faith therapy) are advocated Ayurveda has a vast conceptual canvas to with an emphasis on psychotherapy as the method understand mind and its nature. It includes various hypothesis related to the evaluation of mind, its of highest order in psychiatric disorders such as 4 schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, location in the body, its objects and functions . It also classifies human beings based on their adjustment disorders and various other psychiatric 5 disorders. constitution .

Key words: Manas, Mental health, Mental The most important concept of mind is of Triguna, three attributes of mind namely Satva, Rajas and disorders, Satvavajaya, Psychotherapy. 6 . These Trigunas are the energies through The science of mental health that deals with mind, which mind functions in its conscious, mental processes and its disorders is at the same subconscious and deep conscious level. time a very old and a very new branch of study. Satva is an attribute of virtue and goodness It is considered to be the oldest art of medicine (Kalyanamsha) which creates harmony, because mental disorders were among the first type tranquillity, balance and stability. It brings about of illnesses to be recognised 1. Understanding of higher awareness, happiness and contentment. human mind from a philosophical perspective and Rajas is the quality of activity and motivation medical perspective has always been a part of (Roshamsha), which creates activities and cause Indian culture. The oldest references to mental imbalance. Tamas (Mohamsha) is the attribute of disorders and their management with herbs and inertia and halting tendencies. therapies dates back to the period of Veda, 2 Human mind in its evolved form is the ‘domain of in particular . 7 satva’ . In a normal state, Satva balances the energy Ayurveda is considered as an offshoot of of Rajas and intertia of Tamas to maintain mental Atharvaveda. Mental health in Ayurveda is a field health. When Rajas and Tamas, the morbid factors where philosophy meets with medicine. Although of mind emerge and dominate the Satvik state, it results in various mental disorders. The basic

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-13, 2016 (Special Issue) ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Science and Technology Connecting Health, Management and Society. approach of ayurvedic mental health management the nature, faith, religiosity and cultural context of is based on efforts to increase and potentiate Satva the patient and the physician as well. and regulate the Rajas and Tamas8. This is achieved by Satvik diet, Swastha vritta (consisting of healthy The general line of treatment of mental disorders lifestyle in relation of daily regimen, seasonal comprises of both Yuktivyapashraya and regimen, exercise, sleep, sexual activities, Satvavajaya. Yuktivyapashraya chikitsa comprise personnel hygiene etc) and Sadvritta (social and of the administration of various herbomineral ethical conduct). Ayurveda gives a detail account medicines and physical therapies helpful in mental of each one of these as a pathway of attaining and disorders. maintaining physical and mental health. A detail description of abnormal human emotions and the Satvavajaya chikitsa which is the comprehensive psychotherapy of Ayurveda is the most important way to regulate them (Dharaneeya Vegas) are also 14 available9. This regulation of abnormal expression modality of management of mental disorders . The of emotions is not to exhibit, restrict or repress the aim of this therapy is to restrain mind from unwholesome objects15, to potentiate Satva by individual, but to help him to internalise his 8 ‘’; the ability to be aware of sensation and reducing the levels of rajas and tamas . Ayurveda perception. In a conscious individual, Prajna provides a practical model of holistic operates in three ways: Dhee (cognitive processes), psychotherapy which is humanistic and client Dhriti (execution of cognitive and emotional centred. It comprise of Jnana therapy (insight decisions) and (memory – behavioural oriented psychotherapy, knowledge of self), modifications from previous experiences)10. An Vijnana therapy (mental health education – textual individual has to optimise and balance these three knowledge), Dhairya therapy (counselling and factors in order to be able to exercise his own encouraging about the challenges of life) and judgement and to choose an appropriate behaviour (higher awareness therapy - Restraining the mind from wordily objects and meditating on in a given situation. Prajnaparadha, the erroneous 16 cognition and executions on the hand is the root the spiritual dimension of personality) . cause of disorders, particularly of the mind11. An important approach of Ayurveda is that mental Health care in Ayurveda is multidisciplinary and health is to be procured and maintained instead of interdisciplinary in its perspective and is concerned being provided. People with mental diseases have with both the biological and psychological aspects the ability and responsibility to keep their mind healthy by their continued efforts through of health and diseases. It believes that every disease 17 involves both body and mind, even though some regulating their lifestyle and emotions . are predominantly physical and others are psychological12. In the past few decades, psychiatry as a branch of medicine is undergoing a rapid change and these As a system of medicine, Ayurveda has enumerated have been advances in understanding the a number of psychiatric disorders such as unmade ( phenomenology, diagnosis and management of a group of psychotic disorders such as mental disorders. Yet, the age old, time tested schizophrenia, organic psychosis and mania), wisdom of Ayurveda is still relevant and contribute Apasmara( epileptic disorders), Atatvabhinivesha ( significantly in ensuing mental health and delusional disorders), Chittodvega ( anxiety happiness. disorders), Vishada (mood disorders), Madatyaya (alcoholism), Anidra (insomnia), Gadodvega ( References: hypochondriasis), Yoshapasmara ( conversion 1. Bhatia M. S (2004), Essentials of disorder), psychosexual disorders and other mental th psychiatry, 4 edition, New Delhi, India, disorders. The causation, diagnosis and prognosis CBS Publishers and distributors 2:1 of many of these disorders and their management is 2. Karambelkar V. W (1961): The Atharva discussed with a multidimensional approach. veda and Ayurveda, Nagpur, India, Usha Ayurveda recommends three approaches of Karambelkar Prasad PP 40-43 treatment viz; Daivavyapashraya, Satvavajaya and 3. Chakrapani (1992): Charaka samhita, Yuktivyapashraya Chikitsa for treating physical and Ayurveda Dipika, Commentary, mental illness as well13. Daivavyapashraya has Editor Acharya Y. T. , India, been interpreted in many ways such as spiritual Choukambha Orientalia, 11-46 therapy, divine therapy and faith therapy. The 4. Sushrutha samhitha - Vol II (2005), utility of such a mode of management depends on Editor Priya Vrat Sharma, Choukambha

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-13, 2016 (Special Issue) ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Science and Technology Connecting Health, Management and Society.

Vishwa Bharathi, Varanasi, India , 15. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Shareera sthana 4th chapter, no. 88- Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. 98. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha 5. Sushrutha samhitha - Vol II (2005), Editor Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol Priya Vrat Sharma, Choukambha Vishwa I), Sutrasthana 11th Chapter, Shloka No. Bharathi, Varanasi, India , Shareera sthana 54. 1st Chapter, Shloka No. 29 16. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, 6. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 1st Chapter, Shloka No. 58. I), Sutrasthana 8th Chapter, Shloka No. 5 17. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, 7. Ishvarakrishna vv. 12-13 Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. 3rd-5th century ce., transl. Gerard J. Larson, Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Classical , pp. 259-60, Motilal Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol Banarasidas, Delhi, 2nd Ed. 1979. I), Sutrasthana 11th Chapter, Shloka No. 8. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, 46 Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 11th Chapter, Shloka No. 54 / Vimanasthana 8th Chapter, Shloka no. 87. 9. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 8th Chapter Shloka No. 21. 10. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Shareerasthana 1st Chapter, Shloka No. 98, 102. 11. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 7th Chapter, Shloka No. 51- 52 12. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 1st Chapter, Shloka No 55. 13. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 1st Chapter, Shloka No. 58. 14. Charaka Samhita- Charaka Chandrika, Agnivesha , Hindi Commentary by Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaumkambha Subharati Prakashan, Varanasi, India (Vol I), Sutrasthana 11th Chapter, Shloka No. 54

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