Scriptophobia Management in Ayurveda with Herbal Remedies
Abstract
In this article our main topic of discussion is a very common social fear known as scriptophobia. Ailments like these that involve the nervous system of our body are a matter of serious concern. If not treated initially it can lead to development of mental stress that might progress into depression and other psychological ailments. Thus it is very important to deal with these disorders as early as possible. We can start using herbal medicines as they will provide strength and stamina to the patient by doing detailed prakriti analysis (nature) of the patient. So let’s start discussing the role of ayurveda in managing scriptophobia
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Introduction
The word scriptophobia contains two words script- means ‘writing’ and phobia means- ‘fear’. It is defined as trepidation of writing in public. This ailment seems to be more prevalent in children and young adults, due to that it starts affecting their day to day life. It will lead to formation of shyness in them that makes them unable to attain progress in their school and work life. They start detaching themselves from others, which causes serious health hazards.
Ayurvedic Overview of Scriptophobia
In our classical ancient texts acharyas had clearly mentioned various types of “manas roga” (mental disorders). They are considered to arise due to vitiation of ‘raja’ and ‘tama’ dosha. Raja and tama are considered as mind dosha. In which raja makes us confused, passionate and active whereas tamas resemble darkness and destructive types. Every individual has little bit of both these dosha. Scriptophobia resembles “bhaya type of manas roga” (fear)
Etiological Factors
These are the main causes (nidan as per ayurveda) that results in formation of an ailment.
- As the exact cause of scriptophobia is not known, but it is considered that there might be an involvement of genetic factors along with childhood mental trauma
- Presence of other underlying mental ailments
- Peer pressure
- Over criticism related to handwriting in the family
Samprapti (Pathogenesis)
- There are three types of satwa (psyche and mind). It controls our body by working in adjoining it. Psyche is of three types according to the strength- superior, medium and inferior. According to those persons are also of three types- those having superior psyche are considered as “satwa saar” (means they have satwa in essence) they have great mental strength. Second type is the medium psyche. Last one type is an inferior psyche.
- These individuals get affected by other people’s perceptions very easily, they are unable to endure even mild pain, and they suffer from fear, grief, greed, confusion and conceit very easily.
Clinical Features
It includes the signs and symptoms. A symptom means the general complaints along with which patients present in front of the physician. Signs: It means what a physician notices himself by observing the patient’s condition.
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
- Anxiety
- Raised heart rate
- Lack of interest in social activities.
- Disturbed sleep cycle
- Lack of motivation
- Polydipsia (increased thirst)
- Anorexia (loss of hunger)
- Difficulty in concentration
- Short temperedness
- Palpitation
- Headache
- Panic attacks
Risk Factors
It includes the factors responsible for increasing the chance of developing an ailment in the body. In scriptophobia the common risk factors are:
- Depression
- Mood disorders
Diagnosis
It includes the common diagnostic approaches we use to identify the disease.
- Detailed clinical evaluation of patient’s signs and symptoms.
- Thorough and proper history taking.
- CT scan
- MRI scan
According to Ayurveda
The two most preferred diagnostic procedures used by a physician are as follow:
Trividh pariksha (Group of 3 diagnostic procedures)
- Darshan- Diagnosis is made by visual examination of the symptoms.
- Sparshan- Physician uses tactile examination to evaluate whether skin is cold/hot
- Prashan– Physicians ask direct questions from the patient, to evaluate the root cause of the disease i.e. history taking.
Asthavidh pariksha (set of 8 examination procedure)
- Nadi pariksha– By palpating the pulse rate of the patient.
- Mutra pariksha– By examining the urine of the patient.
- Mal pariksha– By stool examination.
- Jivha pariksha– By examining the tongue whether coated or not.
- Shabad pariksha– By listening to the natural sounds within the body like intestinal sound (peristalsis) sounds of moving body fluids.
- Sparsh pariksha– By observing the patient skin texture whether it is cool, wet or dry.
- Drik pariksha– When a physician inspects patient symptoms through his/her eyes.
- Akriti pariksha– When a physician evaluates the general appearance of a patient whether he/she looks dull, lethargic or fatigued etc.
Management
According to ayurveda: we use three treatment modalities:
- Dev vyapashray chikitsa
- Yukti vyapashray chikitsa
- Satva avjay
Dev vyapashrya chikitsa-It is also known as ‘divine therapy’. It is based on the act done in previous birth and includes methods to correct deeds of previous birth. In this we will do:
- Chanting of holy mantra.
- Ask patients to wear holy and precious stones.
- By religiously following rules and regulations related to food and lifestyles.
- By hearing the recitation of Vedas and holy textual books.
Yukti vyapashrya chikitsa– this treatment modality is used to balance the vitiated doshas. In this comes sanshodhan chikitsa and san shaman chikitsa.
- Sanshodhan chikitsa– It includes detoxification procedures to take out harmful toxins from the body by using vaman (emesis), virechan (purgation), anuvasana basti (enema with medicated oil), asthapana basti (enema with herbal solution/ decoction) and nasya karma (herbal smoke).
- San Shaman chikitsa– In this we use classical herbal formulations by oral route to balance the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) within the body.
List of some classical herbal formulation mentioned in our ancient texts are as follow:
1. Rasa/pishti
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- Rasa raj rasa
- Smriti sagar rasa
Dosage: 250 mg with plain water after meals.
2. Churna
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- Jatamansi churna
- Shankhpushpi churna
Dosage: 3-6 gram with lukewarm water after meals.
3. Ghrita
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- Kalyanaka ghrita
- Mahakalyanaka ghrita
- Maha paishachik ghrita
Dosage: 10-20 ml with warm water after meals.
Satva avjay chikitsa (psychotherapy) – satwa means ‘mana’ (mind) and avajaya means to conquer or win. So it means to attain proper control over the mind and abstain from things which are not good for its healthy functioning.
- By regulating the thoughts process by indulging ourselves in motivational therapy.
- Through channeling the presumptions of our mind and psyche with logical reasoning.
- Following achara rasayana- It tells us about the ideal way to live life with healthy and positive thinking. It includes:
- One should always be truthful, free from anger, sweet spoken in nature.
- Engaged ourselves in japa (repetition of holy mantras)
- Worshipping gods, cows, teachers, preceptors and elders.
- Indulge yourself in the company of positive people, self controlled and those who are devoted to Holy Scriptures.
Herbal Formulations of Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is a leading herbal manufacturing unit serving mankind with their 100% organic products free from preservatives and chemical agents, made under the guidance of Ayurveda experts. They offer various herbal formulations to be used in the problems like scriptophobia. Some of them are as follows:
Products Description
1. Brahmi Chyawanprash
This herbal formulation contains various medicinal herbs such as brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), bala (Sida cordifolia), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata), chandan (Santalum album), pipali (Piper longum), kesar (Crocus sativus) etc. All the herba present in this formulation have great antioxidant properties that will help in reducing the level of harmful free radicals from the body. It also helps in boosting the functioning of the nervous system by strengthening the nerve cells, balancing mind and body hormones shows very good results in patients suffering from scriptophobia.
Dosage: 1 tsf twice daily after meals.
2. Ashwagandha Capsules
It contains great antioxidant properties that boost up the immune system and develop strong immunity power to combat diseases like scriptophobia. This herbal capsule contains pure and standardized extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This herb helps in providing strength to the body as patients of scriptophobia usually suffer from anxiety, depression and fatigue as well.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. Gotu kola Capsules
This herbal capsule contains standardized extract of gotukola (Centella asiatica). This herb is mentioned as the best ‘medhya herb’ (brain tonic) in classical ancient texts. It rejuvenates our mind and helps in strengthening the nervous system of our body. It also contains great antioxidant properties thus helps in removing obstruction present inside the blood channels by balancing all the three doshas vata, pitta and kapha thus proves as a great choice in scriptophobia patients.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
Contact Planet Ayurveda to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com
Conclusion
Now we can conclude that in disorders related to the nervous system like scriptophobia our ancient acharya had already mentioned detailed treatment modalities that show wonderful results. By using ayurvedic herbs we can effectively manage the further advancement of scriptophobia symptoms. For ayurvedic treatment, you can consider consulting expert doctors of planet ayurveda we have been serving people for the last 20 years. You can directly visit us at our clinic at Mohali, Punjab or you can also send your doubts and queries on our official email:herbalremedies123@yahoo.com