Anxiety and depression have become chronic in the modern 21st century. While modern medications have been developed to manage these conditions and may be required in certain situations, typically they do not address the cause but rather treat symptoms. Examples of symptoms of depression include indigestion, poor sleep, emotional issues, headaches, excessive fatigue, negative feelings, worthlessness or overwhelm, fear and gradual loss of interest in life..
From an Ayurvedic point of view depression is an underlying symptom of Doshic or Body Type imbalance. On the other hand the Dosha imbalance for people who suffer depression varies according to their Dosha type. Typically when you visit an Ayurvedic practitioner they would touch the pulse on the wrist to find the Dosha or Doshas for the person, exam the tongue, colour of the skin, observe behaviours and movements etc. Once they identify which Dosha is out of balance they recommend certain changes in diet, foods, lifestyle to bring the body back into balance. Many people benefit working on these different levels of the mind, emotions and physical body level.
For example in Ayurveda, depression can be treated working on the levels of the Doshas of the Vata types, Pitta types and Kapha Types. Vata type qualities relate to anxiety, nervousness, loneliness and fear. Pitta type qualities relate to anger, competitiveness, irritation and aggression. Finally Kapha type qualities are fairly restrained, sluggish and detached.
According to Ayurveda depression that is Vata in origin at the time the person exhibits behaviours of agitation and anger, feels insecure, has a dry tongue, not thirsty and dehydrated. When these symptoms are alleviated for Vata types the depression disappears. Depression that is Pitta in origin manifests as anger and criticism towards oneself as Pitta people become very upset if they fail in their endeavours. They are always looking for success, want success, and have a fear of failure. This is a type of chemical depression for Pitta types as they feel it is worthless to live without high self esteem. Depression that is Kapha in origin is a sweet depression because they substitute food for their depression and can become overweight.
Of course these concepts are easier understood than actually applied. There is never a quick fix. It takes sometimes years while living an unbalanced lifestyle, eating poor diet before health problems arise and it will take time before this can be reversed and healing takes place. People frequently want instant results and are impatient to implement whole lifestyle changes. But in reality they need to undertake these changes and take responsibility for their health as Ayurveda is not a quick fix.
For those people who are interested in healing and want to change their way of life, change what they eat and change the way they respond to life’s situations, Ayurveda is not only a medical system but both an Art and a Science, the Science of Life and the Art of Living in harmony with nature. Not only can Ayurveda truly bring out the best in people but also help alleviate depression and anxiety.
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