PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION: AN AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

In its holistic approach, Ayurveda gives prime importance to positive mental h ealth. Anything that disturbs the balance of body and mind is known to produce a disease. Emotions are the basic feelings of human beings. All of us have felt unhappy, “down,” or discouraged at times in o ur lives . But when anybody feels anxious , hopeless, helpless, worthless , guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless comes under the categorization of depre ssion. Vishada and Avasada are two conditions that are similar to depression in Ayurveda. Vishada is defined as persistent sad mood, feeling of incompetence due to apprehension of failure resulting into incapability of mind and body to function properly. C haraka quotes ‘ Vishado Rogavardhananam Agrya: ’ mean Vishada is the foremost factor to worsen the disease condition. This is the first principle regarding Psycho - neuro - immunology in Ayurveda. P rogress in understanding the neuro - biology of depression is slow . Several promising hypothesis of depression and antidepressant action have been formulated recently. A ne uro - biological understanding also requires identification of several mechanisms involv ed in the phy sio - pathogenesis of depression. D epression or other mood disorders are very serious because it start s at early age, hard to diagnose in youth/ youngsters, confused with normal frequency behaviour, drug use or other psychiatric illnesses associated with high suicidal risk, treatment is started very late and requires long term follow up / treatment for long term. In the ligh t of above facts in present article we tried to give a brief o verview into patho physiology of depression and outline a comprehensive Ayurvedic approach to manage Depression and other moo d disorders. It also highlight s the hidden concept of Ayurvedic psychology that can be utilised in medicine for treatment of depression and promotion of mental health. Keywo rds : Depression, Mood Disorder, Mental Health and Neurobiology .