Reports have demonstrated the efficacy of yoga as an add-on therapy in treatment of schizophrenia which was researched by Babu P in Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry & Allied Sciences (RINPAS). Schizophrenia is commonly called as actress’s diseases as shown in bollywood flicks like ‘Wo lamhe’ and ‘Madhoshi’.
Babu P, alumnus of RINPAS has conducted a study on efficacy of yoga therapy on Schizophrenic patients in which it was found that therapy is an effective adjunct treatment for patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia on the basis of their improvement in their symptoms.
“It is the first study demonstrating efficacy of yoga therapy with in-patients schizophrenic group and assessing broad domains of its symptoms. Yoga is useful for subjective well-being enhances quality of life and improves personal hygiene, communication and outlook of patients. Feeling of happiness also gets prominent hence reduces suicidal tendency,” said Babu P.
“Yogah citta vr.tti nirodhah. are the golden historical words which hold great meaning and explain the ultimate purpose of yoga: to cease, or at least control, the fluctuations of the mind. Yoga is helpful to treat behavioural symptoms greatly but not symptomatic . Yoga is a discipline which balances person’s life,” said Amool Ranjan Singh, Acting Director RINPAS.
He further added, “Chronic Schizophrenia has always been a challenge for us because chances of recovery are minimal. Yoga along with pharmacological treatment is a complete package. Patients start responding and there is a change in behavioural pattern of the patients.”
Yoga as a therapy has proven to be effective as an additional intervention in psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety and treatment of Schizophrenia is anti-depressant in long term hence yoga is effective in treatment of Schizophrenic patients.
“The right medication, social support, and with the help from Yoga therapy, a lot of people suffering from schizophrenia are able to show drastic improvements in their behavioural symptoms,” said Dr PK Singh, lecturer of Yoga & Philosophy, RINPAS.
Blunted effect, delusion, anger, anxiety, guilt feelings, difficulty in abstract thinking and emotional withdrawal are major symptoms that can be reduced by Yoga. “From the time I am attending yoga classes I am able to control anger and became more tolerant. Moreover I feel happy from inside and I can bath and eat myself also I feel better now. ” said Prakash Kumar Singh (name changed) a Schizophrenic patient admitted in RINPAS.
Bhikri Kindu in-patient and yoga trainer said, “Yoga is bliss for patients and yoga has immensely helped me and my fellow patients in improving our psychological, mental and social condition.”
Yoga as a therapy has proven to be effective as an additional intervention along with medication in treatment of Schizophrenic patients.