The ayurveda recommended specific dinacharya and ritucharya along with ahara and vyayam to control mental illness. Abhyanga removes toxins and maintain normal mental status of body. Ayurveda treatment of manovikara involves approaches like; shirodhara, manasamitravataka, nidanaparivarjana, shodhana, shirovasti, tailam, shiroabhyangam, shaman and healing through senses shabda, sparsha, roopa, rasa, gandha. The treatment of mental disorder seeks Jnana-Vijnana, Dhairya and Samadhi. The normal functioning of mana can be best achieved by sadvritta and achar-rasayan which overall develops Sattvapravriti and help in brian restoration process. The current population suffers from many psychological disorders due to the disturb life style and mental stress; ayurveda suggests mano-chikitsa including psychological counseling (satwavajay) for the treatment of such psychological problems of today’s time, this article summarizes role of mano-chikitsa in modern manovikara.
Keywords: Ayurveda manovikara; mano-chikitsa; satwavajay; psychological counseling
The current scenario of life style suffers various psychological diseases. Ayurveda considered mana important pillar of body along with atma and sharir. The balance condition of these three Mana, atma and sharir resembles complete health as per ayurveda. Ayurveda mentioned sattvavajaya therapy as effective treatment approaches of psychotherapy.
Manas (mind) is encompasses three subpillar dhi, dhriti and smriti. The tridoshic balance vata, pitta and kapha govern mind functioning of mana. Vata controls movement of nervous system. Pitta regulates metabolism. Kapha provides stability of tissues. Vatadosha results anxiety, restlessness and insomnia. Pitta imbalance causes irritability.
Ayurveda believe that there is an imbalance in tridoshas when there is a mental problem. The gunas of mind rajas and tamas are also affected simultaneously. There are various causative factors of mental illness like; excess of shoka, krodha, chinta, kama, krodha, lobh, moha, irshya and mada. Ayurveda prescribed various treatment approaches of mano-vikara which mainly occurs due to the modern life style and stress, this article summarizes role of such treatment approach like; psychological counseling (satwavajay) in the management of modern day’smanovikara [1, 2].
Premature Ejaculation is one the common sexual disorder of male. There are various causative factors of this problem like; anxiety, stress and fear etc. As per ayurveda this condition can be correlated with shukragatvata. Study proved efficacy of psychological counseling in the management of shukragatvata. Shukragatavata is characterized by clinical presentations related with the impairment of ejaculation or with the impairment of seminal properties. The clinical presentations of Shukragatavata involve; early ejaculation and seminal abnormalities. The various clinical features of similar pathological process occur according to the affliction of the vitiated vata on the various structural and functional attributes of shukra. Improper ejaculation associated with the condition of vitiated vata which loses its drutatva. Study proved efficacy of psychological counseling in the management of shukragatvata and significant results were seen with regards to Harsha, Preeti, Veeryam and Shraddha, Raja, Harsha, Bhayam, Medha and Dhriti.
Psychological counseling was found to be effective to a certain extent in the management of Shukragatavata since it boost confidence, self esteem and improve positive thinking. Counseling serves dhee, dhairyaatmsadivijanam and improves manodosha. Study also suggests that psychological counseling suppressed triggering factor of premature ejaculation like; anxiety and stress. Study also suggest that vrushya drug having balya, medhya, shukrastambhak properties if used along with psychological counseling then this combination may provide encouraging result in the patient of shukragatavata [3].
The obesity is a very common problem and leads many other diseases like; hypertension, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes mellitus. The depression, stress and emotional disturbances are the causative factors of obesity associated with mental disturbances hence obesity and related disorders can be manage through psychological treatment like; sattvavajaya. Depression is one of the important psychological factors which contribute greatly towards obesity it is associated with excessive eating habit unconsciously and weight gain. The sattvavajayachikitsa helps in obesity to modify life style that may change dietary habits. Stress management also play important role in management of obesity and related disorders. The sattvavajayachikitsa along with yoga also possess relief in such problems; since it offers various physical and mental relaxing techniques like; asanas, pranayama, nadishodhana, ujjayi pranayama, yoga nidra and dhyana. Ayurveda literature suggested that the obesity and related disorders can be control by psychological treatment like; sattvavajaya along with yoga, these behavior modification techniques control stimulus, manage stress and offers cognitive restoration [4].
The nail biting habit is a psychological problem and increasing day by day thus there is a need for effective treatment of this problem. Mental stress leads many psychological disturbances, such psychological disturbances may also occur in children including emotional and behavirioual problems. Nail biting is a habitual problem associated with manovikara. As per traditional text nail biting may be considered under rajodoshavaigunyata. There are various causative factors of nail biting problem like; aggression, stress and anxiety. The nail biting is connected with mana and needs controlling of indriyas. The satwavajayaChikitsa by Vijnana, Jnana, Sheela, Harsha, Samadhana, Vismapana, Vismarana, Ashwasana, Dhairya, Dhyana can be used to improve the psychological status of children which relief in nail biting problem. Satwavajaya encompasses methods of manonigraha & yoga. SatwavajayaChikitsa can be correlates with the cognitive behavioral therapy which utilized for the treatment of habit disorder. The abnormal condition of mana is termed dhee , dhriti and smritivibhramsha which leads prajgyaparadha which is main reason of habit disorder like nail biting, SatwavajayaChikits are sist pragynaparadha by preserving dheedhrithi and smrithi thus provides great relief in nail biting habit. Research investigation proved efficacy of satawavajayachikitsa along with herbs in nail biting disorder [5].
Chittavasada is a common psychiatric disorder now a day’s and majority of young population suffered from disease due to the stresses modern life style. Chittavasada termed as depression as per the modern science which involves depressed mood and loss of joy and excitements. Ayurveda described various treatments for such disease conditions like; daivavyapashryachikitsa, sattvavajaychikitsa, nidanparivarjana and naisthikichikista.
Daivavyapashrayachikitsa involves mani, mangal, mantras, bali, upadhan, homa, niyama, prayascita and pranipata, it boost confidence levels and suppress episode of depression (Chittavasada). Sattvavajayachikitsa control mind and help to empower the self control which overall restore establish inherent perspective of patient. Nidanparivarjana helps to avoid causative factors of disease. Naisthikichikista offers eradication of miseries obtained by elimination of desires which are root cause of all miseries. Elimination of desires leads to eradication of all miseries. The traditional text suggested that depression can be manage with the help of various treatment approaches of ayurveda like; daivavyapasrya and satvavjayachikitsa effectively along with herbal drugs [6].