Report of a case - Ayurvedic treatments and depression

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A young woman aged 21 approached us seeking Ayurvedic treatment for the depression she had been suffering for the past 3 years. She was searching unsuccessfully for a way out in France, her home country. It became so severe that she was even admitted to hospital for a period of time. No form of Western therapy was able to help her out of her depressive darkness. Instead, she was prescribed antidepressants.

Notwithstanding the lethargy and the usual symptoms that depression can bring, her determination to overcome this condition was strong when she finally came to Ayurveda.

Following a virtual consultation with the Ayurvedic doctor, she decided to come to India. As the doctor knew how emotionally and physically challenging a course of treatment can be, he was very cautious. Nevertheless, the young woman was firmly determined. What's more, she was guaranteed individual support at the clinic in her native language.

Overall, she has undergone two courses of treatment so far and is showing significant progress in her recovery from depression.

She completed the first treatment cycle over 6 weeks. After initial lethargic and depressive states, she slowly got into a different rhythm. Each of the successive treatment phases brought new insights and results. Occasionally she would lose heart, as the Ayurvedic treatments take time to unfold their full effect. Throughout the treatment phases, one also experiences ups and downs on various levels.
By her own description, after the first treatment she felt as if she finally had her "head out of water" after a long time. However, her condition was not yet stable enough. From an external perspective, there was a clear difference. It felt as if she was starting to glow from within; it was as if the healthiness was slowly emerging from her face.

Some 4 months later, having integrated an "Ayurvedic lifestyle" into her everyday life to the greatest extent possible, as well as taking some Ayurvedic medication to follow up the treatment, she returned for another four-week stay at the Ayurvedic hospital in India. Encouraged by the positive results of the previous treatments, she once again decided to undergo the sometimes demanding healing procedures. By this time, we had also reached the point where all antidepressants were discontinued.
Compared to the first time, the starting point of this treatment was far better. It required fewer preparatory treatments, as the first cure had already melted away some of the ballast. She also realized an iron deficiency, which may be one of the causes of depression. She was very concerned that the partly restricted diet during some treatment phases could cause her iron levels to deteriorate again. We therefore carried out a blood test at the beginning of the treatment. Her second course of treatment also had its ups and downs. But at the end, we could clearly see that there had been a turning point. Our patient had overcome her depression. Despite the exhaustion and the highs and lows of the treatments, her mind remained positive and clear. Another blood test was done at the end of the cure and to her great surprise, the iron level had risen despite the reduced diet and the many cleaning procedures during the therapy. Her metabolism was therefore in a healthy state again and was able to absorb and process all the nutrients.

Ayurveda places a central role on digestion and metabolism. 
When the metabolism is working correctly, the mind is in a healthy state. In this healthy state there is no need for food supplements, as the body can obtain everything it needs from food.

A systematic, purely traditional Ayurvedic approach enabled the young woman to come out of her depression in just a few months, all without the Western psychological approach or various coaching methods. 
Indeed, during my personal experience and over the years of caring for patients, I have often observed a similar phenomenon. After two or three intensive treatment courses, some patients experienced a psychological turning point. It was quite natural for them to come to understandings. People would withdraw from unhealthy situations or relationships or would face up to difficult issues and work through them. The purifying effect of the treatment extends to many levels of our daily lives.
Like a common thread, the state of our mind and body runs through all areas of life. Once these are in harmony and in their original healthy state, a healthy outlook and approach to our lives becomes totally natural.

In this context, the following is a quote from Sushruta Samhita, Ayurvedic textbook, ca. 1000 BC:
All the doshas must be in equilibrium, the digestive fire must be in a balanced state and the tissues (dhatus) and malas (wastes) must work in a normal state. The sensory and motor organs and mind, atma must be also in a pleasant state. Such a person is called a healthy person or Swastha.

*This review is intended as an observation and exchange of experiences. It has nothing to do with a medical report. You should always seek specialist medical advice.