Article: CONCEPT OF SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.154130

Pages: 115-118

Author: Neeraja MA *, Devipriya Soman, James Chacko, Mahesh C Kundagol

Abstract: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a minor mental illness characterized by substantial degree of fear in one or more social situations. The condition becomes clinically relevant when the fear is persistent for a period of six months or more. A few outcomes of Social Anxiety Disorder are depression and substance abuse. It can be seen more in teenagers than in young adults. In common populaces, women are having more rates of Social Anxiety Disorder than in men. The contemporary management of Social Anxiety Disorder are with the usage of anxiolytic drugs and their practice is limited owing to the risk of drug abuse and dependency. As per Ayurveda, Social Anxiety Disorder can be considered under the Shareerika - Manasika Vikara (psychosomatic disorder). This involves Udvega avastha of Manas (hesitant state of mind) along with the predominance of Vata and Pitta dosa. As the references are scattered, the paper is an attempt to understand the concept of Social Anxiety Disorder. This article is an endeavor to bring light to understanding the concept and find out suitable solutions for Social Anxiety Disorder through an Ayurvedic perspective.

Keyword: Social Anxiety Disorder, Udvega, Shareerika Manasika Vikara