Ayurvedic Management of Behavioural Disorders in relation to Unmada and Apasmara in children: A Review

Behaviour is how someone acts. Behavioural disorders are defined as patterns of disruptive behaviours that cause problems at school, home, or in social situations. Community studies on behavioural disorders in children and adolescents conducted in India have yielded desperate point prevalence estimates (2.6% to 35.6%). Behavioural problems of children are becoming common and roughly 6 million children globally and out of these 33.4% in India are affected by different Behavioural problems. In DSM-5 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder are included in Behavioural disorders. In ayurveda behavioural disorders can be considered as vyadhi of Manovaha srotasa, Buddhivaha srotasa, Sangyavaha srotasa, and described in mainly two-chapters of Charak Samhita, Unmada and apasmara.  Unmada is vibhrama (instability) of Mana (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Sanjana (conscious), Jnana (knowledge), Smrti (memory), Bhakti (obsession), Sheela (desire), Chesta (manners), and Achara (behaviour). These are responsible for Behavioural disorders. Causative factor of Behavioural disorders is Heena yoga, Atiyoga, Mithya yoga of sense organs, season, and action. The three types of treatment principle (Daiva-vyapashraya, Sattvavajaya, Yukti Vyapashraya) are applicable for Behavioural disorder according to person and diseases. Purpose of Ayurvedic Treatment protocols for Behavioural disorder is to maintain equilibrium stage of Shareerika and Mansika  dosha.