Changes

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

As the present chapter deals with the psychopathogenesis & diagnosis of unmada, the fundamental approach of Ayurveda in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric diseases needs to be discussed. Charaka considers violation of dietetic rules as an important causative factor for unmada. Both body and mind are affected by diet. Unmada occurs in individuals taking diet in manners forbidden by the dietetic rules, consuming improper dietary articles, food articles that are unclean & ill prepared, incompatible & vitiated. According to Chandogya Upanishad, quality of mind depends upon the food taken by the individual. Once digested, the food is divided into three components – gross (sthula), medium (madhyam) & (sukshma). The subtle portion of the food nourishes the mind. Bhagavad Gita also opines that the sattvika, rajasika and tamasika types of buddhi (intellect) is derived from the characteristics associated with the type of diet. Thus, Ayurveda considers that incompatible, vitiated food articles affect the physical as well as mental state of an individual, predisposing him to psychiatric illnesses in general, if he is already harboring other causative factors.

As the present chapter deals with the psychopathogenesis and diagnosis of ''unmada'', the fundamental approach of Ayurveda in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric diseases needs to be discussed. Charaka considers violation of dietetic rules as an important causative factor for ''unmada''. Both body and mind are affected by diet. ''Unmada'' occurs in individuals taking diet in manners forbidden by the dietetic rules, consuming improper dietary articles, food articles that are unclean and ill prepared, incompatible and vitiated. According to Chandogya Upanishad, quality of mind depends upon the food taken by the individual. Once digested, the food is divided into three components – gross (''sthula''), medium (''madhyam'') and (''sukshma''). The subtle portion of the food nourishes the mind. Bhagavad Gita also opines that the sattvika, rajasika and tamasika types of buddhi (intellect) is derived from the characteristics associated with the type of diet. Thus, Ayurveda considers that incompatible, vitiated food articles affect the physical as well as mental state of an individual, predisposing him to psychiatric illnesses in general, if he is already harboring other causative factors.

Secondly, psychiatric illnesses with special reference to unmada are not only associated with the vitiation of manas doshas but there is vitiation and provocation of sharira doshas as well. It points to the fact that though psychiatric illnesses are associated with subtle pathological changes at the bio-energetic level, they are also simultaneously accompanied by qualitative as well as quantitative changes/imbalances in the neurotransmitters & other bio-chemicals at the physical level. Thus, the normal psychological processes as well as the psychopathologies, operate simultaneously at multiple levels (biological, bio-energetic) & also at subtler levels where the intangible thought processes start appearing in the relatively tangible field of bio-energy. All this needs extensive exploration using the available scientific tools.

Secondly, psychiatric illnesses with special reference to unmada are not only associated with the vitiation of manas doshas but there is vitiation and provocation of sharira doshas as well. It points to the fact that though psychiatric illnesses are associated with subtle pathological changes at the bio-energetic level, they are also simultaneously accompanied by qualitative as well as quantitative changes/imbalances in the neurotransmitters & other bio-chemicals at the physical level. Thus, the normal psychological processes as well as the psychopathologies, operate simultaneously at multiple levels (biological, bio-energetic) & also at subtler levels where the intangible thought processes start appearing in the relatively tangible field of bio-energy. All this needs extensive exploration using the available scientific tools.

Thirdly, entire thought processes, attitudes, emotional experiences, desires and behaviors of an individual, which are relatively intangible, have the capacity to bring about qualitative as well as quantitative changes in the manas and sharira doshas, agni, and ojas. These psychological factors are also capable of bringing about structural as well as functional changes in the dhatus (body tissues), malas (biological byproducts & wastes) and srotasas (macro & micro-channels). These are some of the most fundamental considerations. which needs special attention.

Thirdly, entire thought processes, attitudes, emotional experiences, desires and behaviors of an individual, which are relatively intangible, have the capacity to bring about qualitative as well as quantitative changes in the manas and sharira doshas, agni, and ojas. These psychological factors are also capable of bringing about structural as well as functional changes in the dhatus (body tissues), malas (biological byproducts & wastes) and srotasas (macro & micro-channels). These are some of the most fundamental considerations. which needs special attention.