What is Depression in children

DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN Meaning

While most people may think that only adults suffer from depression, it is not uncommon for children to be diagnosed with depression and anxiety. About half of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.¹

Kashayapa samhita - a classical text of Ayurved is a repository of pediatric specialty. As per the concepts taught in the Kashyapa samhita, Satva (Purity) is responsible for ‘knowledge’, Rajas (passion/activity) is the instigator or creator of all the mental activities while Tamas (the inhibitor) manages or inhibits these activities.²

Depression is termed as ‘Vishaada’ or ‘Avasada’ in Ayurvedic texts. Vishaada refers to mental lethargy or inactivity which may arise because of a fear of failure. This lethargy is seen across generally presentations of the person and causes a feeling of sorrow. Another term used in Ayurvedic texts for this is Glani (mental despair).²

As per Ayurveda, inappropriate dietary habits such as Adhvashana (Improper foods) and Vishamashana (Opposing foods) may cause Vishada (Mental lethargy) resulting out of Pragya-paradha (mistakes of the intellect/mind).² The concept of psychosomatic disorders or Diseases that affect both the body and mind is well documented in the ancient science of Ayurveda.³