Article: DEPRESSION: AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.100354

Pages: 13-17

Author: Sharma Ravikant, Sapra Umesh Kumar *

Abstract: Among the dreadful psychological disorders, depression occupies the lion share. It is a common mental illness that causes you to feel sad, to lose interest in activities that you have always enjoyed, withdraw from others, to feel lethargic and become irritable. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and can lead to a substantial impairment in the individual's ability to take care of his or her daily activities. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. According to WHO, globally about 350 million people are affected with depression. In Ayurveda Vishada and Avsada are two conditions which have close resemblance to depression. Even though this particular problem is not narrated under a single chapter or heading. In classical literature, we come across scattered references in various texts. Acharya Charaka has described the term Vishada in different contexts like Cause of a disease, Symptoms of a disease, as a Disease itself and Examination of mental factor. Vishada is defined as the condition of persistent sad mood, feeling of incompetence due to apprehension of failure resulting into incapability of mind and body to function properly. Charaka quotes "Vishado Rogavardhananam" i.e. it is the foremost factor to worsen the condition of any disease. This suggests that there may be a relationship between Immunity and Vishada. Vishada is one of the eighty Vataja Nanatmaja Vikaras which indicates that it cannot occur without the involvement of vata dosha.

Keyword: Vishada, Avsada, Kaphaj Unmaad, Depression, Psychological disorder