A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE ASSOCIATION OF VISHADA (DEPRESSION) IN VATA VYADHI

In Ayurveda, vishada has a close resemblance to depression. Even though this particular problem is not narrated under a single chapter or heading. In classical literature, we encounter scattered references across various texts. Acharya Charaka has described the term vishada in multiple contexts, including the cause of disease, its symp-toms, the disease itself, and the examination of mental factors. Vishada is defined as a persistent sad mood, a feeling of incompetence due to the apprehension of failure, resulting in the mind and body being unable to func-tion correctly. Aacharya Charaka quotes “ Vishado Rogavardhananam ”1, i.e. vishada is the most crucial factor to worsen the condition of any disease. This suggests a relationship between immunity and vishada. Vishada is one of the 80 vataja nanatmaja vikara, which indicates that it cannot occur without the involvement of vata dosha.