Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes

ABSTRACT

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that results from trauma or a life-threatening incident. It can impair a person’s daily life. PTSD is a serious public health concern that compels the search for novel paradigms. Traumatic events are profoundly stressful. Events such as terrorist attacks, violent crime and abuse, military combat, natural disasters, accident, assault injury, etc. PTSD often relives the experiences through nightmares and flashbacks. Aggravation of these symptoms leads to depression and substance abuse.

INTRODUCTION

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Many people who go through traumatic events have difficulty in copying and adjusting for a while. But with time and proper care, such traumatic actions usually get better. In some cases, the symptoms may get worse or last for months or even years. It completely shakes up life. Getting treatment as soon as possible after post-traumatic stress disorder develops may prevent long-term PTSD.

SYMPTOMS

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms are generally grouped into 3 types:-

1. Symptoms of intrusive memories:-

1. Flashbacks and reliving the traumatic event for minutes and even for days sometimes
2. Upsetting dreams about traumatic events

2. Symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing:-

1. Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
2. Feeling emotionally numb
3. Avoid activities you once enjoyed
4. Hopelessness about the future
5. Memory problems
6. Trouble concentration
7. Difficulty in maintaining a close relationship

3. Symptoms of increased anxiety and hyperarousal:-

1. Irritability or anger
2. Overwhelming guilt or shame
3. Self-destructive behaviour
4. Trouble sleeping
5. Being easily frightened

CAUSES

1. Combat exposure
2. Rape
3. Childhood neglect or physical abuse
4. Sexual molestation
5. Physical attack
6. Being threatened with a weapon
7. Natural disaster
8. Robbery
9. Assault, Kidnapping, and torture

DIAGNOSIS

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms and psychological evaluation.

Physical examination

First of all the evidence for any physical trauma is checked. A complete medical history and physical examination are done. Although there are no lab tests to diagnose PTSD.

Psychological examination

If no physical illness is found, the patient is referred to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for the presence of PTSD.

TREATMENT

The goal of PTSD treatment is to reduce the emotional and physical symptoms.

Medication

For Anxiety

1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor ( SSRI ) eg: Citalopram, Fluoxetine
2. Tricyclic Antidepressants eg: Amitriptyline
3. Mood Stabilizer eg: Divalproex
4. Atypical Antipsychotic eg: Aripiprazole

Blood Pressure medicines

1. Prazosin for nightmares
2. Clonidine for sleep
3. Propranolol to minimize the formation of traumatic memories

Tranquilizers

1. Clonazepam

But the use of tranquilizers is discouraged because they carry a risk of physical dependence.

Psychotherapy

A variety of psychotherapy approaches are used to treat PTSD are:-

1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
2. Prolonged Exposure Therapy
3. Psychodynamic Therapy
4. Family Therapy
5. Eye Desensitisation and Reprocessing

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Post traumatic stress disorder needs to be conceptually understood. According to Ayurveda, mind disorders are due to an imbalance of mind doshas which are Raja and Tama. Symptoms occur due to an imbalance of both these and this will be accompanied by reduced sattva quality. Sometimes the person shows high-end emotions like anger, and horror, which represent predominantly an imbalance of rajas quality. Vitiation of vata is also associated with rajas quality. These doshas will contaminate the mind and mind-carrying channels and worsen the conditions. People also may get fluctuated between emotions due to the imbalance of rajas and tamas at various particular times.

Contamination of mind-carrying channels

Mind disorder pathogenesis is concerned with the pathogenesis of these pathways. In due course of time, the physical doshas too will get imbalanced due to the effect of mind disturbance, body functions and non-coordination of the physical-mental axis. These physical doshas once again contaminate the mind-carrying channels which have their roots in hrdyaa ( heart/ brain ) and bring about the symptoms of PTSD.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

According to Ayurveda, the best treatment for the mind is 3 fold. The primary approach toward mental disorders is stated below:-

1. Dhee:- Cognitive behaviour therapy done in modern science fits in this category. It is manipulation, correction, and balancing intelligence and thought process.
2. Dhairya:- Seeding courage in the mind of the person suffering from PTSD.
3. Atamadi vijananm:- Realise self-worth and self-importance.

Treatment of Mind Carrying Channels

The mind is seated in the Heart and the Brain and functions through a balanced Prana and Udana vata axis. Therefore brain tonics are also mind tonics and vice versa. Medicines given for heart diseases are useful in mental disorders.

Vata Balancing Therapies

Oil therapies have been done on the head and nasal, and herbal enemas are therapeutic and healing for mind and stress disorders. Vata balancing lifestyles too should be included.

Rasayan and Vajikarna Therapies

Rasayan not only brings balance, strength, and vitality but also very effective mind medicines. Rasayan balances vata dosha and the imbalance of other doshas can also be corrected. It often heals the mind which has been afflicted by stress.

Useful Formulations:-

1. Kalyanak Kashayam
2. Brahmi vati
3. Paishachika ghrit
4. Balaarisht
5. Ashwagandharishta
6. Manasamrit Vati
7. Purana ghrit
8. Sarasavatharishta
9. Panchgavya ghrit
10. Mustadi Marma Kashayam

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR PTSD BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified company offering products worldwide. All the products are prepared by following the ayurvedic texts under the guidance of MD Ayurveda experts. All the products are safe and devoid of all kinds of adverse effects. Let’s have a look at the formulations:-

1. Neurogenie Capsules
2. Stress Support
3. Mahakalyanaka Ghrit
4. Arjun Tea

Product Description

1. Neurogenie Capsules

Planet Ayurveda’s Neurogenie Capsules are pure vegetarian formula and 100% natural product formulated by experts. It contains extract of mainly two ingredients Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ), and Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri ). It improves the circulation and absorption of nutrients by the cells. It is helpful in relieving stress. Brahmi acts as a medhya rasayan. These herbs are good for the brain and the whole nervous system.

Dosage:- 2 capsules twice daily with warm water

2. Stress Support

Planet Ayurveda’s Stress Support is helpful in maintaining a healthy mind and body. It is made with herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),  Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), and Tagar (Valeriana wallichii). It balances all three doshas but especially acts on vata dosha. It helps in lowering anxiety and induces sleep. It helps in curing the restlessness of the mind. It calms the body and mind effectively.

Dosage:- 1 capsule twice daily with warm water

3. Mahakalyanaka Ghrit

Mahakalyanaka Ghrit is a classical ayurvedic preparation. It contains many ingredients like Shwet Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Krishna Sariva (Ichnocarpus frutescens), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii), and Medha (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), etc all are mixed with Go Ghrit. It is a nervine and brain tonic. It affects tridosha and calms vata dosha.

Dosage:- 1 tsp twice daily with warm water

4. Arjun Tea

Planet Ayurveda’s Arjun Tea maintains a healthy metabolism and healthy circulation system. It contains ingredients like Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Pipal Tavak (Ficus religiosa), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and Choti Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum). It balances all three doshas. It tones up and strengthens the heart muscles. It is the natural formula for detoxification.

Dosage:- 1 cup daily

Lifestyle And Dietary Changes

Diet to include:-

1. Eat probiotics
2. Shift towards more anti-inflammatory (Flax seeds, apples, pears)
3. Choose a plant-based diet (Whole grains, fruits, vegetables)
4. Cook food with anti-inflammatory spices (Ginger, rosemary, turmeric)
5. Choose extra virgin olive oils

Diet to restrict:-

1. Avoid non-vegetarian diet
2. Avoid eating two or more than two fibres in your diet daily.
3. Avoid heavy diet
4. Minimise the use of refined oils.

Lifestyle changes:-

1. Be with family and friends rather than being alone.
2. Do meditation
3. Relocate to a safer neighbourhood
4. Get involved in the community
5. Do exercise daily

CONCLUSION

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a highly suffering disorder where the past is always present in people haunted by the dread frozen in memories of the traumatic events. However, it also represents an opportunity for Psychological and spiritual support due to the human ability to adapt and thrive despite experiencing tough times. Ayurveda is the best approach to dealing with PTSD as there are negligible side effects. PTSD is something that needs to be treated properly to avoid any type of harm to oneself or anyone else.