Role of Ayurveda in Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case Report

Abstract

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder manifested by a constant pattern of inattention and/ or hyperactivityimpulsivity which hinders with functioning and development of brain. Inattention refers to difficulty in focusing due to lack of grasping/ retaining things which are instructed to do. Hyperactivity refers to the constant movements when the situation is not appropriate. Impulsivity means one may act without thinking or having difficulty with self-control, it may also involve inability to delay gratification. Systematic reviews illustrate that globally, community prevalence rate is between 2% and 7% with an average of around 5%. Our aim is to prove the efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions in the management of ADHD. Objectives are to reduce the symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity significantly according to DSM-V criteria. A male patient aged 7 years was brought by his parents to the Paediatric OPD with complaints of lack of concentration since duration of 4 years, easy irritability, shouting, head banging and inability to speak sentences properly, then by interrogation and physical examination the patient was diagnosed to be suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with reference to DSM-V criteria. Then he was given Ayurvedic interventions while receiving three sittings of treatment. Results & discussion include significant reduction of symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity under DSM-5 criteria was observed in the patient after three sittings of treatment because of the mode of action of the drugs in the respective formulations and the strengthening therapy of the procedures done during the sittings. Therefore, we conclude this case study establishes the fact that ADHD can be managed by Ayurvedic interventions so that the child can be able to perform his daily activities. This multimodal approach along with occupational therapy works as wonder in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.