Psychiatric Disorders In Children

The branch of science dealing with the diagnosis and management of mental disorders in children is known as child psychiatry. Child psychiatry holds its root in the 19th century in the western world. Psychopharmacology was first practiced on brain-damaged and hyperactive children in the modern world. Later it was classified as developmental disorders, attention and behavioral disorder, psychosis, neurosis, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and gender identity disorder.

Ayurveda describes the mental disorders in children as Graha Badha. The earliest descriptions of this literature are available from 500BC. Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic follows the Ayurvedic principle that mind and body are inseparable and the coherence of body, senses, mind, and soul makes life. The mental growth starts at the embryonic stage itself as early as 5 months. So proper care should be taken during the entire pregnancy by the mother for the well-being of the mental health of the child. Anger and fear at that time can cause anxiety in children. Child psychiatry itself as a branch of “ KAUMARBHRITYA” does exist in Ayurveda and it incorporates and gives all necessary values and information for the proper upbringing of a child and its mental stability.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic follows the traditional methods of child psychotherapy in Ayurveda. This includes oil massage, eye drops, nasal drops, Sirodhara (dripping oil into forehead), Shirom vasthi,(pool of oil kept on the head covered with cloth )internal herbs, and medications. The herbs and diet have a direct role in Ayurvedic child psychiatry. Food has to be chewed properly and taken with good consciousness. Several food items which are considered to poison the mind are also to be avoided. The type of foods which is more hot and sour tends to increase anger and grief in children. The excitation of Vayu in this condition leads to different psychiatric diseases in children. They are presented as irritability and somatic complaints in children. The Kapha dominance shows the lack of developmental progress in any of the domains.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic focuses on the mind that has different qualities namely satwika (divine, knowledge, discriminative ability), Rajas (violence, envy, and agitation), and tamas (dullness, sleep). All the sensory and physical activities of the body are affected by the quality of the mind. Ayurveda says the mind is active all over the body. So the deeds we do and the food we eat can affect the quality of mind and hence in the formation of diseases. Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic carefully picks herbs and plans diet based on doshik balance, age, disease, and nature of the child to suit their personalized needs. Specific examinations will also help diagnose pediatric psychiatric problems more accurately such as EEG, Thyroid tests, toxicology screening, neurological examination, and serological studies. The detailed physical examination and history by the experts of Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic help in arriving at an appropriate Ayurvedic Diagnosis with the help of the Pulse examination. These services are provided in a higher fashion to meet the complete therapeutical requirements of the child.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s Treatment Plan for Paediatric Psychiatry

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s special pediatric packages help in balancing the Tridosha and improving the Satwa or auspicious part of the children’s mind helping them gain potential enough for proper thinking and Emotional balance.
Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic’s plan for children’s psychiatric therapy is a combination of diet and herbs.

Use of vegetables like ash gourd, and bitter guard, Carrots, leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, apples, grapefruit, fresh berries, cucumber, and kiwifruit help in reducing mental disorders as they are rich in micronutrients. Serotonin present in the fruits will help in enhancing the mood. Reduce starch and include whole grains and legumes. Add virgin coconut oil and olive oil to your everyday diet as salads.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic opines to include herbs like gooseberry and Aswagandha in the form of decoctions or tea in everyday diet. These herbs are rich in vitamin C and carotenoids and play a crucial role in guarding against the oxidative stress of the body. The Ayurvedic herbs contain water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which are essential for optimal cognitive and emotional brain functioning. Evidence research shows that raw herbs, fruits, and vegetables in regular use lower psychiatric problems during the upbringing of children.

Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic therapies for pediatric psychiatric problems like Sirodhara (dripping oil into forehead), and Shiro vasthi (Therapy of pool of oil) focus on psychomotor abilities of the children like sitting, standing, walking, cognitive abilities of the children like better understanding and mental reasoning, improvement in both verbal and nonverbal interactions, destructive behavior to injure himself or others. Pranava Kerala Ayurveda Clinic focuses on the emotional and moral behavioral development of the child with the traditional holistic approach and makes them able to perform their tasks independently.