With anxiety and stress on the rise, more and more people suffer from a myriad range of emotions including depression, insecurity and general feeling of unhappiness with life. Among them, Depression is one of the dreadful psychological disorders known to affect about 15% of the world population, with the number of cases almost doubling in the last decade.

What causes Depression?
Depression is many a times result of some unanswered emotional problems. It can also be caused by genetic, environmental, intellectual and behavioral factors including stress. Depression can also result from long term suffering from a disease such as skin disease, infertility, diabetes, etc. Women are twice prone to depression, compared to men and this is usually offset after child birth, post menopause and even because of peer pressure during the teenage years.

Depression is an emotional state of imbalance commonly associated with low moods and dejection. Forms of depression are many, some may experience empty mood, some may lose interest in performing any activity, others may be continuously sad, irritable, tired, lethargic or even anxious. Person with depression may put on weight or even lose weight, his sleep pattern gets disturbed and many a times there is loss of sleep or insomnia, there may be behavioral changes due to which there may be family conflict, withdrawn social life, poor concentration and professional performance and they may even feel worthless.

Symptoms

Depression usually indicates reduced sattvik energy and aggavation of rajasik and tamasik energies. Lack of energy, sluggish movements, irritability, anxiety, lack of self-esteem, feeling of worthlessness, sleep disturbances and seclusion are some of the symptoms of Depression.

Ayurvedic perspective of Depression

Disturbance in the three fundamental factors of the body i.e. imbalance in the three doshas vata, pitta and kapha in the intellectual level can lead to depression. Imbalance of vata leads to uneasiness, distress, insecurity, anxiety and insomnia; imbalance of pitta can cause anger and irritability and imbalance of kapha, can leaves you with depression, fatigue and lethargy.

In other words, there is a chemical reaction in the brain and it causes electrochemical imbalance which can be considered as imbalance in vata dosha. This activates metabolism and there is variation in enzyme release or pitta vitiation. When there is an imbalanced variations, the body tries to shut down to protect itself and this can be considered to be the action of kapha dosha and thus there is darkness, heaviness or depression.

When there is no obstruction in the flow of Prana, the body is in a good state of health with all the doshas in balance. The slightest disturbance in the flow of energy can cause a hindrance in the dhatu (tissue) development, blockage in circulation of channels of blood flow, lymph and nerve impulses.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Depression

Treatment comprises of a systematic understanding of the person’s distinctive body type or Prakruti and also understands the state of imbalance of dosha or vikruti. The exhaustive knowledge gives a way to consider both physical and mental aspect of the patient to design line of treatment for an individual. The treatment techniques and the medicines used aids in the correction of the doshas and try to balance physical and mental levels.

Ayurvedic therapies like Virechana, Nasya or Basti may be given to control the aggravated doshas. Even Panchakarma is recommended to stabilize the doshas and manage mood swings, intelligence, sense organs as well as strengthen the mind. Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Shirobasti are some of the other Upakarmas that are given to calm the mind and relax it.

Apart from all the Ayurveda interventions, Yoga and Pranayama is advised to patients suffering from depression. Proper breathing habits allows the free flow of Prana (life force) and this in turn helps in keeping the body and mind energized. It also keeps the mind positive and clears blockages in the mind and body, allowing free flow of productive thoughts.

Counseling is necessary for every individual who is suffering from depressive disorder. Addressing one’s intimate fears can help boost the patient’s self-confidence and often helps find the solution for any problems. Talking to near and dear ones also helps in sharing the problems which will help in keeping the mind much calmer.

These lifestyle changes, diet and treatment procedures together can strengthens the mind and clears the negativity allowing the person to cope with the challenges of life and handle the situations in a better way. It improves the positive attitude of the person.

Diet for Depression:

• Hot, spicy and pungent tastes must be avoided.
• Consuming fresh foods, vegetables, seasonal fruits and avoiding alcohol, processed and fast foods and maintaining regular food timings is good for mental health.
• Never overeat or stay on an empty stomach. Consume food in a relaxed mental state and atmosphere.
• When there is aversion for intake of food, consumption of fruits is advised.
• Nuts like walnuts and almonds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and are beneficial for good mental health.

Recommended herbs for Depression:

• Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) – It helps in relaxing and sooths the mind. Brahmi is known to cool both the mind and body.
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – Helps in depression associated with emaciation, insomnia, infertility, loss of strength. It helps in removing the negative thoughts and relaxes mind.
• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) – It improves immunity and enhances memory and cognitive functions; it is best immune booster and helps in fighting depression.
• Vacha (Acorus calamus) – Useful in mental disorders and aggressive behavior. It improves intelligence.
• Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) – It helps in calming the mind by channelizing it in correct direction; it helps in removing depressive thoughts by relaxing it. It induces sleep and allows the mind to relax for taking proper decision.

Tips to get rid of Depression:

• Expose yourself to sunlight and don’t have depressive thoughts sitting in a dark room.
• Practice waking up early morning and avoid late night sleep.
• Consume food at regular times and with peaceful mind.
• Avoid excessive consumption of simulants such as coffee, tea or alcohol.
• Exercise or practice regular yoga or brisk walk daily for 45-60 mins.
• Listen to soft or light music.
• Share your problems with our near and dear ones. This keeps the mind relaxed.
• Never indulge in negative thoughts.