Ayurvedic Treatment Of Schizophrenia

Nowadays human beings work like a machine. They do not take proper rest. Due to which they are suffering from physical and mental fatigue. People suffer from different mental disorders. Schizophrenia is one of the mental disorder which is common all over the world. About 1% of adults suffer from this problem. It is characterized by distorted thinking, abnormal behavior of individual.

According to Ayurveda, the mental health is a state of mental, spiritual and intellectual wellbeing. Ayurveda is an ancient medical science that deals with different diseases in natural way. There are many herbs which are used in Ayurveda to manage mental problems. These herbs are Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum), Shwet jeerak (Cuminum cyminum), Krishna jeerak (Carum carvi), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum) and Patha (Cissampelos pareira) and these also support the good health of brain.

What Is Schizophrenia?

It is serious mental disorder in which person has difficulty to think properly. The person has difficulty to distinguish between reality and imagination. It is often shown in adolescence or early childhood. They have difficulty in expressing normal emotions.

What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms of schizophrenia may vary from person to person. The common signs and symptoms are explained below:

THE SYMPTOMS ARE CATEGORIZED INTO THREE CATEGORIES:

1. POSITIVE SYMPTOMS:

People with positive symptoms may lose their belief in reality. Symptoms may include:

•   Hallucinations
•   Delusions
•   Thinking disorders
•   Disorders related to body movements.

2. NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS:

In this there is disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors. Symptoms may include:

•   Reduced feeling of happiness in their life, reduced normal expressions (flat affect) like facial or voice tone.
•   Reduced speaking.
•   Excessive sleep or insomnia.

3. COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS:

These symptoms may include memory related problems. Symptoms may include:

•   Problems with working memory.
•   Difficulty in focusing.
•   Poor functioning i.e. inability to understand information.

Causes Of Schizophrenia

The exact cause of Schizophrenia is unknown. It may be due to several factors which are given below:

•   Genetic
•   Birth defects
•   Drug abuse
•   Environmental factors
•   Psychological factors like stress, depression, anxiety
•   Imbalance of neurotransmitters

Ayurvedic Outlook

As per Ayurveda, Schizophrenia is known as Unmaad. It is similar to atatwabhinivesh in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda there are three physical energies (vata, pitta and kapha) are responsible for healthy life. Imbalance of any psychic energies (satva, raja, tama) supported by imbalance of physical energies (vata, pitta, kapha) are believed to cause various mental disorders like schizophrenia. According to Charak, the person who has vitiated doshas evade the person's brain whose mind is under rajasik and tamasik influences and block channels of mind and nerve impulses. It affects the functioning of brain and intelligence. In that case person fails to differentiate between real and imaginary world. To manage Unmaad there are many herbal formulation present in Ayurveda that detoxify and clear the blockage in brain. These products act naturally and have no side effects.

Management Of Schizophrenia In Ayurveda

Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic approach for management of mental disorders from mild stress to severe condition. Ayurveda employs several therapies like meditation, medicines or spiritual therapy for management of mental disorders. Ayurveda first works on the balancing of all three energies including psychic and physical energies.

Diet And Lifestyle

•   Take proper diet.
•   Take proper rest.
•   Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
•   Avoid to keep awake at night.
•   Do physical exercise.