Article: AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER: A CASE REPORT

Article Category: Case Reports

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.16232

Pages: 5-9

Author: Amrutha A *, Subitha V, Jithesh M, Anjali A

Abstract: Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental health conditions affecting mankind that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. It is associated with considerable disability and may affect all areas of life, including personal, familial, social, educational, and occupational functioning. According to WHO, Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both that cause significant distress to afflicted individuals. The prevalence of OCD in individuals meeting the criteria for Schizophrenia is 25%^. In Ayurveda, both conditions can be managed using Unmada's principles. A 39-year-old male patient presented with complaints of increased fear due to hearing unknown voices, seeing different faces, the sensation of a foetid smell, a salty taste in the mouth, a burning sensation over the body, feeling of touching, pricking sensation, sensation of his body transforming to other persons, repeated washing of hands since 21 years. Due to the predominance of Vata Kapha (morbid humors) symptoms, the condition was diagnosed as Vata Kapha Unmada (Insanity) with Pittanubandha and appropriate sodhana (purification therapy) and samana (pacifying therapy) treatment was done. Thirty days management protocols, including sirolepa (herbal head paste application), snehapana (internal oleation therapy), virechana (purgation therapy), vasti (enema therapy), nasya (nasal administration therapy) and sirodhara (forehead oil dripping therapy) were administered. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) were used to assess before and after treatment. After the intervention, scores were significantly reduced from 112 to 72 in PANSS and 22 to 11 in Y-BOCS. The case illustrates the importance of Ayurvedic management to relieve the symptoms and to improve the quality of life in Schizophrenia with OCD.

Keyword: Schizophrenia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Ayurveda, Unmada, Sodhana, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale