A clinical study on Add-on effectiveness of viddhakarma in the management of vishada(Depression)

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. Depression is linked with lack of interest, social withdrawal, dejection, reduced psychomotor activity, fondness to solitude and lack of enthusiasm. When compared to depression, vishada is discussed in various references and seem more applicable term to illustrate. Charaka has categorized it under vatananatmaja vikara. It is a condition that interferes with rajas, causing chanchalatva of manas, which is also chief quality of vata that results in apprehension of failure, reduced effort or action of body to function properly due to tamas resulting in srotorodha. As manovaha srotas is involved, ura(hridaya) and masthiska(shira) being abode for vishada, there by Viddhakarma, a para-surgical procedure that evacuates doshas from the nearest route, helps in clearing the doshas(srotoshuddhi) and helps to cope up with the condition. It is the modified and simplest type of siravyadha. With the help of 26G x ½ inch disposable needle (0.45x13mm), a gentle prick of 2-4mm deep made at the sites Shankakeshanta sandhigata, ura, apanga and lalata. It is done for 7 consecutive days.