Herbal Remedies For Somatoform Disorders

A group of psychological conditions where the patient suffers from variant inconsistent physical symptoms and not able to explain with any underlying neurological condition is referred to as somatoform disorders. It is fairly common in pediatric populations.

Many healthy young children express their emotional stress by varieties of pain, but usually very transient and will not affect their overall development. But in somatoform disorders, there is a severe end of the continuum of physical symptoms.

Somatoform disorder which is also called to be as Somatization disorder or Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is a form of mental illness. Even though the Somatic symptoms may or may not be traceable, it causes immense and disproportionate distress levels. The somatic symptoms include

• Pain
• Neurologic problems
• Gastro intestinal complaints
• Sexual symptoms
• Anxiety disorder

The patients of somatoform disorders are not at all faking the symptoms. Their distress is real and it affects the daily functioning significantly.

Risk factors of  Somatoform disorders

• Illness anxiety disorder –it is also called as Hypochondriasis. These patients are preoccupied with a concern that they have a serious disease. Even minor symptoms are mistaken as very serious illness. They may believe a common headache as a sign of a brain tumor.
• Functional neurological symptom disorder or conversion disorder – the patient has neurological symptoms but cannot be tracked to a medical cause. Stress makes all the symptoms too worse.

The patient may experience neurological symptoms like

• Weakness & paralysis
• Abnormal movements such as tremors
• Unsteady gait
• Blindness
• Hearing loss
• Numbness or loss of sensation

Other specific somatic symptom and related disorders – this group depicts the symptoms for less than 6 months. It involves a specific condition called as ‘pseudocyesis’, where woman has a false belief of being pregnant. She may have the outward signs of pregnancy such as

• Expanding abdomen
• Feeling labor pains
• Nausea
• Fetal movements
• Breast changes
• Cessation of menstrual period

Herbal remedies for somatoform disorders

Undoubtedly we can see that, even though there are a lot of Somatic symptoms, the treatment is required for mind stabilization. No one can imagine about the stress which the patients are going through. Mind power should be enhanced to handle Somatoform disorders.

Planet Ayurveda offers excellent combination of formulations, which are more of stress busters and to have mental stability. All these formulations are free from side effects as they are manufactured perfectly under the guidance of competent Ayurveda doctors and with no added preservatives or chemicals.

The potent formulations for Somatoform disorders are

1. Ashwagandha root extract capsules
2. Brahmi capsules
3. Brahmi Chyawanprash
4. Green essentials capsules

Ashwagandha root extract capsules -

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a potent Adaptogenic i.e. highly effective in managing stress. Ashwagandha is very popular for its capacity to lower the blood pressure and promoting heart health. It helps to prevent the immune suppressive activity of the body. It also helps in muscle strengthening and muscle building especially in children. Ashwagandha is really useful in various conditions like

• Anxiety & stress
• Fatigue
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Nervous breakdown
• Sudden weight loss
• Weak memory
• All chronic diseases
• Impotence and male infertility
• Arthritic inflammation
• Insomnia
• Respiratory disorders
• Gynecological disorders

There are many other disorders which can be treated by the use of Ashwagandha capsules

Dosage: 1 to 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

Brahmi capsules –

Is an excellent memory and intellect improver and loaded with stress relieving capacity, Brahmi (Bacopa monneiri) is the best herb in managing hypertension, vertigo, anxiety and insanity. It is enriched with the alkaloid, bacoposides. This makes brahmi efficient enough to act as a great antioxidant. Brahmi is an eminent rejuvenator, which makes it very useful in nervous breakdowns. It is a real tonic to nerves, brain and heart. It is best used in restlessness, insomnia, confusion, forgetfulness, hysteria and in cloudy thoughts. Its calming effect on brain tissues and nervous system makes Brahmi one of the best medicines for Somatoform disorders. Brahmi is considered to be the king of Ayurvedic herbs for mind power.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice or thrice a day after meals with plain water

Green essentials capsules –

It is a natural blood purifier and a health promoter. It boosts up the immune system. It is rich in antioxidants and can effectively fight against illness. Its antimicrobial activity can remove the fungal infection. Green essentials contain the potent herbs like grape seed, wheat grass, Spirulina, Green tea and Amalaki. The rich vitamin C content in the formulation boosts up the whole immune system.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily after meals with lukewarm water

Brahmi Chyawanprash lehya –

it is one of the best herbal remedy for the rejuvenation of both body and mind. Brahmi Chyawanprash is renowned around the globe with its effectiveness as mental tonic and it helps to relieve stress & anxiety. It is anti aging and prevents damage due to blood pressure and also from chronic diseases. Brahmi Chyawanprash is a rasayana ‘jam’, which contain around 50 ingredients, with Amalaki (Indian gooseberries – Emblica officinalis) as the most important. Its best effects are on

• Fatigue
• Palpitation
• Lack of memory and concentration
• Run down conditions
• Low immunity
• AIDS and immune related disorders
• Stress and anxiety

  Dosage – 2 to 3 tsp full twice daily with milk or without milk any time

  Patients of Somatoform disorders cling to their belief of having a serious illness despite no medical explanation. Also, the patients are not ready to admit the psychological factors playing in their disease.

The treatment focus should be on

• Improving daily functioning and not for managing the somatic symptoms
• Stress reduction
• Counseling for the family and relatives

Cognitive behavioral therapy should be done along with other treatments. It helps to relive most of the Somatic symptoms, as this focuses on distorted thoughts, unrealistic beliefs and behaviors that prompt health anxiety.