The role of Satwavajaya Chikitsa (Psychotherapy) in the management of mild and moderate Depression- Conceptual study

Abstract

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of wellbeing. People with depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty,irritable, ashamed or restless. They may lose Interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating. WHO also estimates that about 7.5 per cent Indians suffer from mental health disorder and predicts that by end of this year roughly 20 per cent of India will suffer from mental illness.According to the numbers, 56 million Indians suffer from depression and another 38 million Indians suffer from anxiety disorders.Approach of Ayurveda towards mental health disease always keeps uniqueness, as it does with all other disease.Satwavajaya Chikitsa is completely dedicated for mind, treats the mental health disorder and its prevention.SatwavajayaChikitsa in Ayurveda closing parallel to psychotherapy in the allopathy medicine, it is the treatment aimed to cure the emotional, behavioural and thought disturbances of an individual.Hence keeping this in view there is a much need to understand the concept and action of Satwavajaya Chikitsa as well as Psychotherapy methodology.