Munchausen Syndrome- Its Symptoms, Causes and Ayurvedic Treatment
Abstract
Mental illness is a term that affects one’s perceptions, mood, illness, thoughts and behaviour. It interferes with a person’s daily routine, work and personal relationship. There are plenty of mental illnesses like anxiety disorders, behavioural disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, childhood trauma’s etc. Behavioural disorders are becoming very common nowadays. Munchausen syndrome is one the mental illness which is also described as a factitious disorder imposed on oneself. In munchausen syndrome a person behaves as if they are sick either physically or mentally so as to attract attention from the medical staff. They purposely get sick but they are not. So let’s discuss everything about munchausen syndrome, its presentation, and its management in modern as well as ancient systems of medicine.
Introduction:
Munchausen syndrome is a syndrome in which a person fabricates, magnifies or falsifies illness, injury, trauma, emotional or cognitive disorder just to seek attention and sympathy. It comes under the subclass of factitious disorder most commonly presenting physical signs and symptoms like fever, stomach pain, chest pain etc. It was named after Baron von munchausen, a German officer who was known for embellishing his life stories and experiences. The person suffering from munchausen syndrome is generally the one who suffered from isolation or ignorance in their childhood. This condition is more prevalent in early teens and early adulthood. They may secretly injure themselves just to show they are in true need of care and attention. Like some people poison themselves, reopen wounds, cut and burn themselves.
Causes
- History of neglect as a child
- Childhood emotional traumas or illness
- Child abuse
- Having some personality disorder
- Having grudge against healthcare professionals
- Low Self esteem
- Emotional unavailability of parents during childhood
- Frequent hospitalisation
- Recurrent illness
Signs and Symptoms
Sign and symptoms of munchausen syndrome may include faking symptoms, pretending to be ill, aggravating illness etc. there are 4 basic ways person with munchausen syndrome induce illness
- Fraudulent symptoms:
The person chooses those symptoms that are hard to disapprove such as severe headache or pretentious seizures. - Test results tempering: for example adding blood to urine sample, to pretend high fever heating a thermometer etc
- Deliberately self harming: for example cutting or burning themselves, poisoning with drugs to get attention etc.
- Aggravating the previous conditions: for example reopening the healing wounds
Some Clues to Munchausen Syndrome
To identify the person with the munchausen Syndrome there are some key points given below:
- The person is having good knowledge about medical science
- Test results and symptoms do not match
- The person visits hospital frequently
- The person claims complex history and medical condition
- Elaborate unbelievable stories about the past
- Often visit hospital with few or no visitors
- Mostly person is having solitary lifestyle without friends and family
Diagnosis
- Complete medical history and checking previous health records
- Physician can run some test such as blood test, CT scan, MRI to check for the authenticity about what the person claimed
- Physical examination
Management
Treating munchausen syndrome can be a bit difficult because of the patient’s refusal to admit the problem.
- Psychiatry or psychotherapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Family therapy
Ayurvedic Aspect and Management of Munchausen Syndrome
Ayurveda is an ancient science that has existed for thousands of years.
The science of ayurveda revolves around doshas (body humours). The human body consists of two types of doshas: Sharirik (body humours) and mansik dosha (mind humours). There are three sharirik dosha and these are vata, pitta and kapha as well as three mansik doshas and these further are stava, raja and tama. All three are maha dosha that run in our universe. Our hindu Gods symbolise these gunas. Satva which is pure intelligence resembles god Vishnu, Raja is passion, attachment and transmutation signifies God Brahma and tama means inertia, darkness, sleep, rest, ignorance resembles God Shiva.
When sattva guna of the person is lowered down, raja and tama dosha come into power. These both are known as mansik doshas responsible for any kind of behavioural disorder. So here in munchausen syndrome Raja and Tama mansik doshas are predominant giving rise to mental symptoms. The features like attraction, longing, euphoria, change, craving, movement, chaos in munchuasan’s person are due to rise in Raja dosha. The correlating symptoms like addiction, ignorance, dependency, grief, confusion etc in a person suffering from munchausen syndrome is because of aggregation of tama. And sattva means truth, goodness, harmony, balance in life, consciousness, intelligence which is diminished in a person suffering from munchausen syndrome.
Satvavajya chikitsa: Mental health refers to a state of psychological, social and emotional well being. It affects how people feel, think, act, and how to make choices. Ous balanced doshas (sharirik and mansik), balanced agni (digestive power), balanced mala (waste of the body), balanced kriya (activities) gives rise to happy soul (atma), senses (indriya), mind (mana) and complete health as explained by our Acharya’s in ancient text
“Sama Dosha Sama Agnischa Sama Dhatu Mala Kriyaha
Prasana Atma Indriya Manaha Swastha Ityabhidiyate”
Hence to have a sound mind all the above things should be in a balanced State. Satvavjya chikitsa is a psychotherapy indicated in the management of mental illness. Acharya charak explains satvavajya chikitsa as withdrawal restraining of the mind from unhealthy, innutritious, unwholesome objects. It aims at one should control his/her mind and know the truth behind the real nature of the soul and attaining spiritual wisdom. In simple words one should develop truthfulness in his’her self.
“Sattvavajaya Punah Ahitebheyo Arthebheyo Manognigrah”.(Ch. Su. 11/54)
To control the mind and elevate sattva in the body and mind yoga and meditation falls in the first place. It brings calmness in the mind, helps the person to meet his soul and helps the person to distinguish between good and bad thoughts and practices. As it is said
“Yogastu citta vrtti nirodhah”.(yogsutra)
Herbal Remedies for Munchausen Disorder by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is a herbal manufacturing unit and is a distinguished GMP certified company. Products made with love by Planet Ayurveda and are 100% pure, herbal, vegetarian and natural supplements formulated under the supervision of MD experts. Formulations are in the form of vatis (tablets), syrups (aristha or asavas), churan (powder), liquids, capsules, jams. With the goodness of herbs Planet Ayurveda has prepared many formulations for the Ayurvedic management of Munchausen disorder. All the herbs formulated under the guidance of ancient Ayurvedic Context.These herbs are pure, organic and unadulterated. All these herbal remedies are free from preservatives, additives and chemicals.
Product List
- Gotu Kola Capsules
- Neurogenie Capsules
- Sarotovahi Capsules
- Mahakalyanaka Ghrit
Product Description
1. Gotu Kola Capsules
Gotu kola capsule is a single herb formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. It contains Gotu kola also known as Mandookparni (Centella asiatica). Acharya charaka mentioned gotu kola as Medya Rasayan. Its pharmacological action rejuvenates the body, mind and soul. It balances all three sharirik doshas that are vata, pitta and kapha. It maintains equilibrium between psychic energies that are sattva, raja and tama. It promotes healthy brain tissues. It increases healthy blood circulation. It also promotes healthy digestion. It provides nourishment to the brain. It improves a person’s ability to think, and intellect. It helps in calming senses and mind. It is a really potent herbal formulation for the management of mental illness. Thus useful in managing munchausen syndrome.
Dosage: 1 capsule 2 times a day after meals
2. Neurogenie Capsules
Neurogenie capsule is the polyherbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda. This potent formulation contains herbs like brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Both the herbs are calming and have cold potency. Ashwagandha and Brahmi are considered as rasayana (rejuvenators). Consuming rasayana regularly brings newness in a person like a newborn baby. Ashwagandha is anti-stress, neuroregenerative. Both the herbs are madhur (sweet) in taste. This capsule helps people to build cognition. Neurogenie capsule is wonderful for the management of munchausen syndrome.
Dosage: 2 capsules two times a day after meal
3. Sarotovahi Capsules
Sarotovahi capsule is a herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda. The it contains are shilajit (Asphaltum), haridra (curcuma longa), guggul (Comiphora mukul), vidanga (Embelia ribes) , marich (Piper nigrum), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), dalchini (Cinamomum zylanicum) and many others. All the herbs enhance angni (digestive fire) as a result all the dhatus are formed perfectly thus stopping sroto dushti. Perfectly formed dhatus provide nourishment to the body and brain tissues.and when brain is nourished sound mind is there. Sarotovahi capsules are effective in managing munchausen syndrome.
Dosage: 2 capsules two times a day after meal
4. Mahakalyanaka Ghrit
Mahakalyanaka ghrit is an ancient Ayurvedic formulation based on classic texts. It is useful in dealing with psychiatry and psychological problems effectively. It is a perfect brain tonic. It is a polyherbal formulation contain herbs like shweta sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), krishna sariva (Ichnocarpus frutescens), prishniparni (Uraria picta), daru haldi (Berberis aristata), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens), vidanga (Embelia ribes), ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) and many others. It is prepared with Goghrit (cow ghee). Cow ghee has highly nutritious properties, it contains saturated fats that play vital roles in functioning of brain, bones, heart and nervous system. And with the extract of all these herbs ghee becomes more effective in managing mental disorders. Mahakalyanaka ghrit is best effective for munchausen syndrome.
Dosage: 1 tsf two times a day with warm milk
Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604
Conclusion
Munchausen syndrome is mental illness characterised by the person falsifying physical and mental symptoms whether they are sick or not. A person deliberately complains, creates, exaggerates symptoms of illness that truly do not exist. It is also called a factitious disorder imposed on self. A person crosses his/her limits to intensity symptoms just for the sake of getting sympathy and attention from health personnel. Ayurveda munchausen syndrome is related to manas vyadhi in which raja and tama doshas are elevated suppressing the sattva in the human body. Sattva is equivalent to God. So to manage the symptoms of munchausen syndrome elevation of sattva guna has to be done which is known to be done in satavavajya chikitsa in Ayurveda. All the detailed causes, symptoms and management according to modern as well as ayurvedic aspects of munchausen syndrome is discussed above in this article.