Ayurveda management of Major Depressive Disorder: A case study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2021.03.012
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20T17:31:31Z
• Authors: Basavaraj R. Tubaki; Soujanya Chandake; Amit Sarhyal
• Keywords: Psychomotor agitation; Depression

Major Depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, episodic which manifests with disturbance in mood, interest, cognition and vegetative symptoms. It has major impact on the quality of life patients, by affecting their physical, mental, personal, social, spiritual wellbeing. Vishada avasada represents minor depressive episodes MDD can be equated to Kaphaja Unmada. Current case presented sadness, worthlessness, helplessness, death wishes, disturbed sleep was diagnosed as per DSM V criteria. Ayurveda diagnosis Unmada involving kapha-dominant vata tama dosha. Mental examination revealed derangement mana (mind), buddhi (intellect), smruti (memory), bhakti (desire), sheela (temperament), chesta (psychomotor activity) achara (conduct) components. Patient Avara Satwa. Management planned integrative treatment comprising Yukti vypasharaya (pharmacological), Satwawajaya (counselling) daiwivyapashraya (spiritual-based techniques). snehapana (internal oleation), virechana (gut cleansing), sarvanga abhyanga (massage whole body medicated oil) followed bashpa sweda (steam therapy body), shirodhara (dripping oil fore head), shiropichu (transcranial drug administration placing cotton pad dipped oil), katibasti (holding well-prepared from dough), satwavajaya chikitsa, daiwi vyapashraya chikitsa. Conventional psychopharmacological interventions taken since last year were tapered discontinued. Treatment continued for 352 days included 13 hospitalized follow-ups. Intervention outcome showed reduction Hamilton depression Rating scores 31 6. Patient's self-assessed worry reduced 16 h/day 2 h/day, daily relaxed state improved ½ hour/day 14 h/day. complete remission 180th day intervention. Improvements sustained even during non-interventional observation period. Thus, Ayurvedic management efficacy MDD.