Yoga, an alternative medicine

for mental disorders

The prevalence of schizophrenia is thought to be about one percent of the population around the world; it is thus more common than diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis. This disorder is considered to be one of the top 10

by Kalabhooshan Chelliah Thuraiappah

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realises his/ her own potential, can cope up with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and able to contribute to his/ her community. In this positive sense, mental health is the foundation for individual well-being and the effective functioning of a community.

More than 450 million people suffer from mental disorders worldwide. many more have mental problems.

Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health. mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. Mental health is determined by socio-economic, biological and environmental factors. Cost-effective intersectoral strategies and interventions exist to promote mental health.

The WHO constitution states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

An important consequence of this definition is that mental health is described as more than the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.

Multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point of time. For example, persistent socio-economic pressures are recognised risks to mental health for individuals and communities.

The clearest evidence is associated with indicators of poverty, including low levels of education.

Poor mental health is also associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, risks of violence and physical ill-health and human rights violations.

Mental and behavioural disorders are estimated to account for 13 percent of the global burden of diseases. One in 10 people across the globe is affected by mental disorders. An estimated one in four people globally will experience a mental condition in their lifetime.

Disability

Mental disorders contribute to a significant proportion of disability-adjusted life years and years lived with disability. Even though mental disorders can be managed effectively with medication and psychosocial interventions, only a small proportion 15 percent of patients with mental disorders receive even the most basic treatment that helps avoid chronic disability or premature deaths.

Mental health has been a cause for concern in Sri Lanka for some time. The country has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, with an average of 6,000 deaths per year; nearly 100,000 people will attempt suicide every year in Sri Lanka.

In addition to the mental health problems typically reported in a stable environment, the prevalence of mental illness in the country is further compounded not only by the conflict but also by the devastating effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. all of these factors would undeniably have caused intense stress for the people of Sri Lanka, increasing their risk of mental trauma.

Thirty percent of the people in Sri Lanka suffer from various mental disorders. At least 18 percent children in the country are suffering from depression or similar mental disorders.

One in five children is suffering from depression due to various personal and social problems at home or in the society.

Concern

One child is admitted to the National Institute of Mental Health, Maharagama every week. Children from age ten could suffer from depression.

As with any conflict, there is always considerable concern about children of the war and its effect on future generations. “Children are the most vulnerable of all in conflict and post-conflict situations”, “Many children in these situations have only known conflict, have only known fighting, fleeing from place to place to escape the violence, and living in temporary camp locations. The physical and mental toll on young people trapped in conflicts is incalculable.”

Depressed children show unusual behaviour: don’t attend their school or homework efficiently like earlier. They are also reluctant to get involved in sports activities.

The behaviour of fathers after excessive consumption of liquor and mothers going overseas for employment leaving children alone at home are the main reasons for children to get depressed. there is only one psychiatrist for every 500,000 people in Sri Lanka, and most of these experts are concentrated in urban areas, leaving the north and east of the country that are most in need of mental health care, without adequate facilities.

Another key challenge in mental health care in Sri Lanka is the lack of trained staff within the health system, particularly in terms of health-care staff not understanding and recognising mental illness and disorders. Not only are there limitation in mental health facilities and trained experts in rural parts of Sri Lanka, but there has always been somewhat of a cultural issue with mental health in the country.

Mental health is not openly discussed in Sri Lanka. This is linked to cultural taboos. “stigma attached to mental disorders from a social and cultural perspective in both the Sinhalese and Tamil communities contributes significantly to the problem.”

Causes of long-term disability worldwide.

* Schizophrenia affects about 24 million people worldwide.

* Schizophrenia is a treatable disorder, treatment being more effective in its initial stages.

* More than 50 percent of persons with schizophrenia are not receiving appropriate care.

* 90 percent of people with untreated schizophrenia are in developing countries.

* Care of persons with schizophrenia can be provided at community level, with active family and community involvement.

The course of schizophrenia in adults can be divided into three phases or stages.

In the acute phase, the patient has an overt loss of contact with reality (psychotic episode) that requires intervention and treatment.

In the second or stabilisation phase, the initial psychotic symptoms have been brought under control but the patient is at risk for relapse if treatment is interrupted. In the third or maintenance phase, the patient is relatively stable and can kept in indefinitely on antipsychotic medications.

Even in the maintenance phase. however, relapses are not unusual and patients do not always return to full functioning.

The English term schizophrenia comes from two Greek words that mean “split mind.” It was observed around 1908, by a Swiss doctor named Eugen Bleuler, to describe the splitting apart of mental functions that he regarded as the central characteristic of schizophrenia.

One frequently asked question about schizophrenia is if it is hereditary.

As with most other mental disorders, schizophrenia is not directly passed from one generation to another genetically, and there is no single cause for this illness. Rather, it is the result of a complex group of genetic, psychological, and environmental factor. Genetically, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have much in common, in that the two disorders share a number of the same risk genes.

However, the fact is that both illnesses also have some genetic factors that are unique. There are some genetic commonalities with schizophrenia and epilepsy as well. Environmentally, the risks of developing schizophrenia can even occur before birth. For example, the risk of schizophrenia is increased in individuals whose mother had one of certain infections during pregnancy.

Symptoms of schizophrenia include the following:

- Positive, more overtly psychotic symptoms

- Delusions: beliefs that have no basis in reality.

- Hallucinations: hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that have no basis in reality.

- Disorganised speech.

- Disorganised behaviour.

- Inhibition of facial expressions

- Catatonic behaviour

- Self-neglect, poor grooming and hygiene

- Lack of speech

- Lack of motivation

People suffering from schizophrenia can often hear imaginary voices so ferrying that they are left traumatised. Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder that can cause people to hear “voices” that other people don’t hear. These hallucinatory voices appear as harm less and even playful according to a study. But among the Sri Lankan, more than hay heard voices of kins or family members commending them to do tasks. Several others also heard the voices as playful, as manifesting spirits or magic and even as entertaining.

Misconceptions

Schizophrenia is often poorly understood and many people have misconceptions about it. Two of the most common misconceptions about it, two of the most common misconceptions about schizophrenia are people with schizophrenia have a split or dual personality, people with schizophrenia are violent.

There is no one test that definitively indicates that someone has schizophrenia. Therefore, health-care practitioners diagnose this disorder by gathering comprehensive medical, family, and mental-health information.

Patients tend to benefit when the professional takes into account their client’s entire life and background.

While there are a number of helpful treatments available, medication remains the cornerstone of treatment for people with schizophrenia.

These medications are often referred to as antipsychotics since they help decrease the intensity of psychotic symptoms.

Many health-care professionals prescribe one of these medications, sometimes in combination one or more other psychiatric medications, in order to maximize the benefit for the person with schizophrenia.

Mental disorders could be successfully treated by the 5,000 years old Eastern Siddha Medical practice. Herbs and Yoga are the two eyes of this traditional medicine system. Early Herbal and yoga therapy treatments prevent chronic disability or premature death among patients with mild mental disorders. With these therapies patients learn to cope or recover from their mental illness or emotional disorders.

Herbal and yoga therapy are fast becoming very popular in western countries as complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and lot of researches have been done on them there.

Keeping patients in these phases in their respective home environments instead of admitting them in mental hospitals, providing them with nutritious diets, allowing them play with children and pets, watching television combined with regular head bath applying herbal oil massage to their heads and providing regular yoga therapy may help expeditious recovery.

Depression

It is said most of the Traditional Medical Practitioners as well as allopathic medical practitioners in Sri Lanka lack in knowledge of yoga therapy. Herbs could be used for treatment of depression naturally. It is sought by the people who have adverse reactions to their pharmaceutical medications. Passionflower (passiflora incarnata) has a tranquilising effect on the nervous system and is indicated specially for anxiety and insomnia.

It helps people withdraw from prescription antidepressants and sleeping medication. It is very good for children.

It is non-addictive, but should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.

Valerian root (Valerians officinalis) the strong smelling herb is famous for being a herb vallium was derived from. It is one of the potent calmatives in use.

It is prescribed for insomnia associated with anxiety. Similarly, Holy Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), thymes and fennel act as tranquiliser for restlessness, anxiety and sleep disturbance.

They also act as muscle relaxants. They inhabit an enzyme that breaks down the Neurotransmitter called gamma aminobyric (GABA). by stimulating GABA they dampen the brains arousal system. Gaba is prescribed to remove anxiety is prepared with valerian and hops. Norepinphrine for anxiety, sleep disorder and depression. Serotonin that removes depression and anxiety are made using a herb called St. John’s Wort.

Beta-endorphins that improves mood, sleep and pain disorders is derived from poppy (opium), nutmeg and lotus oil.

Acetylcholine for memory impairment is prepared using ginkgo. Another herb kava-kava meaning 'intoxicating pepper' in Latin is well known for its tranquilizing properties and its ability to increase sociability. It also reduces anxiety and tension and promotes restful sleep. It is probably the most potent aniolyic available without prescription.

Symptoms

Gotukola (Centella asiatica) removes symptoms of depression andschizophrenia. It contains two saponin glycocides, brahmoside and brahminoside which are well known to promote relaxation. Ginkgo enhances blood flow to the brain. Nitrates from beet root juice and leafy vegetables also increase blood flow to the brain specially the frontal lobe white matter.

Licorice is a powerful antidepressant. Eating a diet high in nutrients, essential antioxidants like beta carotene vitamin C,E and carbohydrates boosts alertness and helps recovery from clinical depression.

If all these herbs were used in combination along with regular yoga the patients experience expeditious recovery not involving any expenses. Yoga is very effective in improving symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Several yoga poses (anasas) deteriorate the progress of the disease.

These include: Ardha matsyendrasana, camel pose (ushtrasana), tree pose (Tadasana), Cow face pose (gomukhasana), Pavanamuktasana, cobra pose (bhujangasana), locust pose (shalabhasana), Bow pose (Dhanu-rasana), Inverted Balance (Viparitakarani), shoulder stand (Sarvangasana), breathing exercise (Pranayama) and Corpse pose (shanthiasana).

Meditation relieves stress and or anxiety, reduces pain, improves mood and or symptoms of depression, improves sleep. Meditation may reduce activity in the sympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for increasing heart rate and breathing rate) when you are under stress and stimulates activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for slowing heart rate and breathing rate).

Scientists have discovered that practicing meditation was linked to improved performance on tasks.

It may also show promise in the treatment of memory loss (a common problem in mental patients). Other behavioral symptoms including agitation and suspicion are removed.

Yoga has tremendous benefit in improving the quality of sleep because of the stimulatory effect yoga has on nervous system and particular the brain.

Corpse pose (shanthiasana) helps one relax both body and mind completely. Five to 10 minutes relaxing in corpse pose provides a total release for body and mind that combat stress in your daily life.

Breathing Exercise (Pranayama) is one of the important part of yoga practice. It increases awareness of breath as a tool for relaxing the body and mind effectively combating stressful situations amazingly.

The vibration caused by the humming during Bhramari (breathing exercise) performs a massage on the brain and anti-stress hormones are released. Researchers have found Yoga may increase brain’s substances such as GABA that when low are linked to mental disorders including anxiety and depression. Currently, pharmaceutical treatment of mood disorders elevates the level of GABA.

Stress can trigger the body’s response to perceived threat or danger, the fight-or-flight response. During this process stress hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released, speeding heart rate, slowing digestion, shunting blood flow to major muscle groups and changing various other autonomic nervous functions. chronic stress leads to depression. Corpse Pose (Shanthi asana) and yoga nidhra help manage stress.

These findings clearly demonstrate that yoga therapy is very effective in improving symptoms associated with depression and anxiety and suggest that practice of yoga therapy be explored as a possible treatment for depression and anxiety the major disorders associated with mental disease. Hence, the development of an inexpensive, widely available intervention such as yoga therapy that has no side effects but is very effective in nalleviating symptoms of mental disorders has clear public advantage.

The writer is a Consultant Yoga Therapist

Common diabetes medicine could help treat Alzheimer's sufferers

Tests on mice have shown encouraging results on mice, scientists say

Two drugs commonly used to treat type-2 diabetes have also been found to work against Alzheimer’s disease in laboratory mice, a study has found. Scientists have shown that the drugs lixisenatide and liraglutide protect the nerve cells of the brain from injury or degeneration in mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tests showed that the drugs were more effective against the degenerative effects of Alzheimer’s than anything currently available for the treatment of the brain disorder. They are already licensed as safe for the treatment of diabetes so could be quickly tested on dementia sufferers, scientists said.

Prof Christian Holscher of Lancaster University, said: “These are very exciting results. There are no drugs on the market for Alzheimer's disease that actually treat the disease, all we currently have are two types of drugs that mask the symptoms for a while. Lixisenatide and liraglutide offer a real improvement by treating the basis of the disease and, therefore, preventing degeneration.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in the UK, where it is predicted to affect more than 520,000 people in 2015. The number of sufferers will continue to rise with an ageing population.

“It is exciting that drugs used for type-2 diabetes have been found to be promising as potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, and could tackle the underlying changes in the brain that are causing the disease,” said James Picket, head of research at the society.

“Current treatments for Alzheimer’s only help with the symptoms for a short while and do not stop the disease from progressing,” Dr Picket said.

Developing drugs that are already licensed for other conditions will mean new treatments for Alzheimer’s could be delivered faster and cheaper than if the drugs had to be developed from scratch, he said.

“By speeding up the research process we hope to deliver a new dementia treatment within five to 10 years,” he said.

Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said that diabetes was already known to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and previous studies have suggested that some diabetes treatments could protect the brain against neurodegeneration.

“This study found that two diabetes drugs could slow nerve cell damage in mice with some of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s and that the animals also performed better on a memory test,” Dr Ridley said.

“While this study does highlight an interesting target for the development of new treatments for the disease, the next important step will be to see whether these benefits seen in mice can be reproduced in clinical trials in people,” he said.

- The Independent