Abstract

PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER IN OLD AGE – AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

Dr. Kirti Lata Yadav*, Dr. Ramnihor Tapsi Jaiswal and Dr. Manohar Ram

ABSTRACT

Mental health according to WHO – “Mental health is a state of well-being where a person can realize his or her abilities to cope with normal stresses of life and work productively”. Ageing of the population is one of the most significant component of demographic change besides other changes like rapid population movements, increase in life expectancy at birth, improving vital statistics etc. Increasing life expectancy over the past half centuary results in higher demand for health care of ageing population, therefore adapting the health system to the needs. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders is high in the elderly, especially for Depression and Suicide behavior. Depression is the major burden in the elderly, which increased risk of suicide, impaired quality of life and function anatomy. The elderly population of india is steadily increasing. Most common psychiatric illness in the Indian elderly population are deression, dementia, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer‟s disease. Ayurvedic treatment for mental disorder aims at finding the root cause of the problem and treating it using number of strategies. Right behavior, diet, and lifestyle is very important part in ayurvedic treatment of mental disorder. Ayurvedic treatment comprises non herbal therapies of Sirodhara and Rasayanas to improve the mental function and treat mental conditions. Herbs like brahmi, ashwagandha and jatamansi act as brain tonics.

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