A brief review of the efficacy of ayurvedic therapeutics in treating anxiety disorders

Summary of article contents:

We all experience anxiety; it is a natural human state and a vital part of our lives. Anxiety helps us to recognize and respond to danger in 'fight or flight mode. The 'right' amount of anxiety can help us perform better and stimulate action and creativity. But persistent anxiety causes real emotional distress and can make us sick. Sometimes such a person may develop anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, obsessional behaviors, etc. Anxiety at this level can have a truly distressing and debilitating impact not only on our lives but also on our physical as well as mental health. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders with a current worldwide prevalence of 7.3% [4.8%-10.9%]. Among them, specific phobias are the most common, with a prevalence of 10.3%. Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) is the next most common with a prevalence of 6.0%, followed by social phobia (2.7%) and generalized anxiety disorder (2.2%). Generally speaking, women are more prone to develop emotional disorders with an onset at adolescence; they are 1.5 to 2 times more likely than men to have an anxiety disorder. According to the research, anxiety influences attention, learning, cognitive processes, information processing, and academic performance or work capacity. Despite various anxiolytic medicines and the use of various therapies like behavioral, and cognitive behavioral therapy, the problem of anxiety disorders is increasing day by day. Though anxiolytic medicines are not less than any wonder remedies, we cannot neglect their various hazardous side effects such as constipation, dryness, drug dependency, etc. This article is aimed at reviewing the efficacy of various Ayurvedic therapeutics while dealing with anxiety. Keywords: Anxiety, Ayurveda, Holistic Science, Yoga INTRODUCTION The