Case Report
Year: 2019 | Month: May | Volume: 9 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 433-438
Post Stroke Depression with Somatic Symptoms - A Case Report
Febin H1, Jithesh M2
1MD Scholar, PG Department of Manasroga, V.P.S.V Ayurveda College, Kottakkal
2Professor and Head, PG Department of Manasroga, V.P.S.V Ayurveda College, Kottakkal.
Corresponding Author: Jithesh M
ABSTRACT
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is considered as the most frequent and imperative neuropsychiatric consequence of a stroke. Approximately one-third of the stroke survivors experience major depression as per studies. Numerous emotional and behavioral disorders occur subsequent to cerebrovascular accidents. The psychiatric disorders following cerebrovascular accident reduces patient autonomy and amplifies caregiver burden, especially in the elderly. In Ayurveda classics, the interrelation between body and mind and the psychological impact of physical ailments and vice versa have been explained with utmost consideration. Acharya Charaka opines, “Sareeram hyapi satwamanuvidheeyate, satwam ca sareeram”- The ailments occurring to the mind cannot be separated from that of the bodyand is absolutely inseparable.
A 68-years-old male patient with a history of stroke attended our OPD with the complaints of pain and burning sensation in the left side of the body along with weakness of right side of the body. On thorough patient interview and examination, a psychiatric disorder was recognized which was identified as post stroke depression with somatic symptoms. From the Ayurveda perspective the disease was considered as vishada due to pakshaghata. The patient was assessed before and after the management with VAS numeric pain distress scale and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D). Selected Ayurveda protocol was found effective along with satvavajaya chikitsa or psychotherapy. The case report illustrates the importance of consideration of psychological factors while treating a physical illness especially when the ache seems not responding as expected.
Key words: Post stroke depression, somatic symptoms, pakshaghata, vishada, HAM-D