Depression: An Overview
Depression is a widespread mental health disorder affecting individuals worldwide. Despite its prevalence, many people often overlook its severity and delay seeking medical help. Depression is characterized as a brain disorder that impacts mood, interfering with daily life and causing feelings of sadness, unhappiness, or hopelessness.
Causes of Depression
The primary causes of depression include genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Other contributing factors are:
- Substance Abuse: Alcohol or drug misuse.
- Sleep Disorders.
- Stressful Life Events.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Depression
In Ayurveda, depression is referred to as Vishada or Avasada, resulting from physiological imbalances. It affects both mental and physical processes, altering how a person perceives situations and responds to them. Ayurveda attributes depression to imbalances in the doshas within the brain, specifically Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta, and Tarpaka Kapha, which suppress Ojas, leading to a loss of interest in life’s activities.
Types of Depression Based on Doshas
Ayurveda categorizes depression into three types based on dosha imbalances:
- Vata-Type Depression:
- Symptoms: Anxiety, irrational fears, phobias, insomnia, paranoia, incoherent speech, forgetfulness.
- Pitta-Type Depression:
- Symptoms: Anger, irritability, suicidal ideation, violent mindset, self-destructive behavior, substance abuse.
- Kapha-Type Depression:
- Symptoms: Lethargy, apathy, dullness, excessive sleep, heaviness.
Line of Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment for depression focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause, coupled with counseling and correcting dosha imbalances to strengthen Ojas.
Treatment Modalities:
- Panchakarma: Procedures like Vamana, Virechana, Basti, and Nasya.
- External Therapies: Treatments such as Shirodhara, Shiro Basti, Shiro Pichu, and Abhyanga.
- Internal Medications: Use of Medhya Rasayana herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Vacha, Shankhapushpi, and Jatamamsi.
- Activities:
- Specific yoga asanas.
- Pranayama.
- Meditation.
- Counseling.
- Introspection.
- Deep relaxation techniques.
- Yoga Nidra.
- Food and Lifestyle Changes: Tailored to the individual’s constitution, nature of depression, social environment, work nature, and geographical conditions.
