Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Its Ayurvedic Correlates: A Conceptual Study

Purpose : Anxiety disorders occupy a lionshare among the dreadful psychiatry disorders . Among the anxiety disorders, GAD is most prevalent. The ICD 10 definition of GAD is Anxiety that is generalized and persistent but not restricted to, or even strongly predominating in any particular environmental circumstances. In Ayurveda ,Cittakṣōbha, Aswasthacitta, Anavasthitacittatwa, Taptacitta Manōvikṣōbha and Chittodvega are used to denote anxious states Method :The literary research was done through various data bases such as published journals, research articles, classical references Result :The symptoms of GAD are variable but is a combination of psychological and physical symptoms including complaints of persistent worry, trembling, muscular tensions, sweating, palpitations, giddiness, and epigastric discomfort. From the above symptoms , we can understand that anxiety is a vata-pitta pradhana condition . Chittodvega is mentioned by Acharya Charaka while enumerating the manasikarogas in Roganikam vimana chapter .It is also mentioned as poorvarupa of unmada , nidana of sannipatajaatisara .Clinical state of Chittodvega holds close resemblance to GAD. Conclusion :Prompt diagnosis and treatment are key for success of anxiety disorders as they cause grave complications . Satwavayaja chikitsa along with necessary shodhana and shamanachikitsa can bring tremendous results in Chittodvega. Keywords – GAD, Chittodvega, Anxiety disorder