Schizophrenia and the approach of Ayurveda

Schizophrenia is a rigorous disorder which affects the way, a person thinks, feels and acts as well. Approximately 1 million cases are reported per year in India, as per reported trials. Schizophrenia is a major cause of disability, with active psychosis and ranked as the third most disabling condition after quadriplegia and dementia. The exact cause of schizophrenia isn't known, but a combination of genetical, environmental, altered neurotransmitters and structural or organic changes are expected to have a combined role in the pathology. Schizophrenia is characterized by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganized speech or behavior and decreased participation in the daily activities, difficulty with concentration and even memory. Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and coordinated specialty care services. Even with the ongoing medical advancements, the success rate of the management is less than the expectations, as per reports all over the world. The medical world is looking towards the alternate system for contributions, in this area. Ayurveda has seriously discussed mind, its function, the alteration of the functions and the resultant disorders, with their respective clinical approaches, in a very positive and enhanced manner. The disease can be well addressed using the Ayurvedic clinical parameters, assessing the doshas of the body as well as the mind, in the perspective of the condition of Unmada. A detailed clinical protocol starting with snehapana, followed by Vamana or Virechana, Vasthi, Nasya ending in Rasayana therapy is usually adopted in solemn conditions, such as Schizophrenia. In mild presentations, suitable samana drugs are also observed as effective, as per the condition. This paper is an attempt to explore the role of Ayurvedic modalities in the management of Schizophrenia with the rationalization, through the light of basic principles of Ayurveda.