OCD & AYURVEDA

 

 

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM OCD?

AYURVEDA CAN HELP

ocd and ayurveda

We see a lot of people in our life or sometimes we, ourselves are struggling to break certain habits, without having the perceptive of what accurately is happening to us. Should I visit a doctor or is this usual? Should I take medicine for this problem or do I even have a problem? How do I distinguish between all? It’s all perplexing. Most of the time we don’t even perceive it as a problem. So, let us help you figure it all out. First let me explain it to you in brief, what precisely is OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, such as cleaning, checking, counting, or hoarding. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), one of the anxiety disorders, is a potentially disabling condition that can persist throughout a person’s life. The individual who suffers from OCD becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive thoughts and behaviors that are senseless and distressing but extremely difficult to overcome. OCD occurs in a spectrum from mild to severe (we have to diagnose level of OCD by using a scale, OCI), but if severe and left untreated, can destroy a person’s capacity to function at work, at school, or even in the home.

While the compulsive side of OCD is generally well documented (for example religious and rigorous hand washing or ‘checking’ of things to ensure their safety), the lesser known side involves the obsessive aspect which may cause a sufferer to experience unwanted and upsetting thoughts or images (commonly known as ‘intrusive thoughts’). These thoughts can cause huge levels of distress in an individual as they struggle to work out what the thoughts mean and why they are thinking in such a way.

While the Western medicine has found that OCD usually develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, Ayurveda says, conditions like OCD are associated to an imbalance within the bodies’ delicate biochemistry. According to Ayurveda, when the primary doshas are out of balance, mental health issues develop.

  • Vata imbalance can contribute to anxiety, fear and insomnia
  • Pitta imbalance can cause anger, compulsions and irritability
  • Kapha imbalance can lead to lethargy and depression

In most cases of OCD, the Vata dosha is especially intensified and out of balance.

There are variety of different factors which can cause this imbalance. These include:

  • Lack of exercise
  • The accumulation of toxins
  • Stress
  • Diet and digestion

Ayurvedic treatment for OCD and related anxiety conditions pursues to re-balances biochemistry by removing the toxins in your body and restoring the healthy physiological functioning. This multi-layered approach frequently involves the following, in consultation with our Ayurvedic doctors or consultants.

  • Prescription of herbal medicines
  • Counselling
  • Lifestyle amendments
  • Instruction in gentle yoga postures and breathing exercises
  • Prescription of Ayurvedic revitalizing massage and detoxing treatments including:

 

Shirodhara or the ‘rebalancing treatment’, is a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead. The name comes from the Sanskrit words shiro (head) and dhara (flow ) which helps to calm the mind and spirit.

Abhyanga – (“oil massage”) is a form of Ayurvedic medicine that involves massage of the body with large amounts of warm oil. The Abhyanga is a part of the Dinacharya (daily practices) to maintain good health and well-being. The result is an increased state of awareness, directing the body’s internal healing system.

Udvartana involves a healing warm oil massage to reassure the abolition of toxins deep within the body and tissues followed by an exfoliation treatment with an Ayurvedic herbal paste to invigorate and revitalise the skin.

Panchakarma or Ayurvedic detox, a complete cleansing process used to rid the body of toxic build up and restore balance to the entire system. It is often referred to as the ultimate healing experience for both body and mind due to its rebalancing, detoxifying effects.

You can visit our clinic where professionals diagnose it and give the treatment based on your prakriti.

About the Author

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Dr. Pashupati Nath

Dr. Pashupati Nath is a well renowned Ayurvedic Doctor (MD),a coach, consultant. With 18+ years of experience as an Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Pashupati Nath works with his patients to help them unearth dormant capacities that lead to more fulfilling life through the physical, psychological and spiritual way of Ayurveda