Chittavasada is the term used in Ayurveda for depression. Chitta means mind or psyche and avasada means sad or lazy state.
Increase in the tamas and rajas quality of mind with vitiation of Kapha and sometimes Vata are the main causes. Consuming unwholesome food and improper social conduct may also lead to depression. When the tranquility of mind is disturbed, emotions, intellect, memory, desires, habits, psychomotor activity, and conduct are also disturbed.
Depression can be divided into two major types:endogenous, where no apparent cause in found, and reactive, due to various external causes.
Sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, weakness, loss of appetite, insomnia, helplessness, loss of concentration, palpitation, body aches, suicidal thoughts or attempts, loss of libido, changes in menstrual cycle, feeling of crying, and persistent feelings of guilt.
Find out the cause and eliminate the same. For increasing the sattva quality of mind, interaction of the physician with the patient in very important. The following model has been proved useful: assurance, replacement of emotion, regulation of thought process, reframing the ideas, channeling of presumptions, scorrection of objectives and ideas, proper guidance, and advice for taking right decision.
Panchakarma procefure like shirodhara and shirobasti are useful. Some aphrodisiac preparations help to elevate the mood.
Prof. R.H.Singh and his colleagues in B.H.U. have proved that herbs having vajeekarana action are useful in this condition. Hence, tab. Ashwagandha 250 mgm. 3 times a day or tab. Mucuna pruriens 125 mgm. 3 times a day for 1 month should be used. Regulate sleeping and eating patterns to establish wholesome rhythms.
