Psychology Ayurvedic View -2

One of the basic concepts of Ayurveda is constitution / Prakruti. Ayurveda describes both physical and mental constitution. Mental constitution is vital in diagnosing and treating the disease and many a times ignored by Ayurvedic physicians and merely physical constitution is analyzed. We should know that, mental constitutional evaluation is as important as physical constitutional analysis.

While examining and treating a patient “Sattva Parikshan” or mental examination of a patient is one of the important factors and should be thoroughly examined by Ayurvedic physician as it is very helpful in understanding the response of medications prescribed to him.

In case of line of treatment of psychological disorders, threefold treatment is described. Viz –
1) Yuktiva-vyapashraya / Rational therapy:
2) Sattvavajaya / Psychotherapies:
3) Daiva-vyaapashraya / Divine or Spiritual therapies

In case of medications and various formulations described for psychological disorders it is easy to describe relationship of the medication with the dosha vitiation and the action of medication.

In psychological disorders Counseling is an integral part of the treatment. Ayurveda, particularly in the West today, is largely a counseling based system of medicine. It consists of educating the patient how to change their life-style to prevent disease from arising and to optimize their health, as well as to treat specific diseases. While this may center outwardly on dietary, herbal and exercise recommendations, it requires an understanding of the psychology of people. Otherwise we will not have the proper rapport with the patient to ensure right communication and compliance with treatment recommendations.

It is not enough in that we as practitioners can arrive at a correct diagnosis and treatment plan, we must have the counseling skills to enable patients to effectively implement these.

In case of divine or psychotherapies, many a times it is difficult to understand the relationship between described procedure and pathogenesis of disease. In evidence based practices, it is difficult to show mathematical calculation for the explanation of physiological and pharmacological actions.

In such situation, we should know basic principles and metaphysics of Ayurveda. If we look at “Pramana”, “Aptopadesha / Teachings of Guru's” is one of the important pramana's on which Ayurvedic concepts are based on. Entire Ayurvedic science is based on “Aptopadesha” pramana, along with other pramana's.

So as an Ayurvedic practitioner, it is important for all of us to follow the science with full faith in it and unless and until we do so, it is difficult to convince and counsel the patient to follow the regimen and take Ayurvedic formulations and perform the prescribed rituals etc.

Now a days, we are just proving the said effects of particular herb and formulations and name it as “Research”. That means we are re - searching, already existed/proven things. So instead of wasting time in re searching it, concentrate on the available proven Ayurvedic formulations and follow it with full faith and confidence. Positive results are bound to happen......

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