Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Abstract

The term psychomotor refers to the connections built amid the mental and physical functions. Psychomotor retardation is one of the prime symptoms of major depressive disorder or in simple we can say, depression. Psychomotor impairment is the slowing down or hampering of mental and physical activities. Our body movements and thinking capacity is majorly affected. This can be seen by visible slowing of speech and eye or hand movements along with other emotional reactions. These changes are commonly seen in bipolar disorders or in depression. It can also be seen in adverse effects of some medications, like benzodiazepines. This disease wants more nursing care to feed the patient with adequate food or fluid. The aim of this article is to provide valuable information on psychomotor retardation, its causes, clinical features and management of this condition as per Ayurveda aspect.

Introduction

Psychomotor impairment was discovered more than a century ago, is a long time accepted component of depression that can have noteworthy clinical and many corrective measures used as in the management. Clinical features  of psychomotor retardation  may involve  decreased movement, slowed speech, and diminishes cognitive responses. These are ordinary symptoms in patients who are suffering from melancholic depression and those with psychotic features, which may show abnormalities in the dopaminergic pathways as well as in the basal ganglia. The symptoms of this disease may vary from person to person, it is absolutely opposite to the psychomotor agitations, because agitation has restless symptoms, like pinching in skin, or being restless all the time. These symptoms are due to the mental tension, causes for both the diseases are similar.

What causes psychomotor impairment

Psychomotor impairment is a symptom of various diseases, some of the most common diseases are –

1. Encephalopathies.
2. Major depression disorder.
3. Thyroid related disorders- Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism.
4. Common disease caused by hyperthyroidism – Grave’s disease.
5. Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome
6. Smooth brain (Lissencephaly)
7. Parkinson’s disease

Psychomotor impairment can be caused by above factors

1. Genetic factors.
2. Various chronic diseases
3. Major Neurological diseases
4. Imbalanced hormones.
5. Mental health disorders.

Psychomotor retardation can occur due to the ongoing medication of any underlying condition. Some medications that cause this disease are –

1. Benzodiazepines that are used for anxiety issues.
2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications.
3. Antipsychotics like chlorpromazine
4. Atypical antipsychotics like lurasidone.

• Biological causes – disturbance in basal ganglia work or  decreased blood flow in certain parts of the brain, like in the left prefrontal cortex, angular gyrus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and in anterior cingulate may helps to develop these psychomotor retardation.
• Other medical conditions – that causes psychomotor retardation such as diabetes, hypertension, bipolar depression.
• Age factor – slowing down of mental and physical activities are normal with ageing but in this psychomotor retardation this process seems to be worsened.
• Clinical Features – the symptoms of this disease may differ from person to person, even children and adults may vary their symptoms.

Major disturbance is caused by this condition is impaired muscle function and slow down the speech process that may hamper the day to day activities, like –

Hindrance in communication skills

• Slowed activities like brushing teeth, bathing, cooking or eating, also in socialising skills.
• This condition can affect your job and hobbies and many day to day activities. And in children, they may show their delayed milestones like difficulty in walking, playing with toys, holding the objects, talking, and eating.

Diagnosis – This condition can be diagnosed by physical examination, or clinical history.

If your practitioner is suspecting genetic or neurological diseases then they may suggest you to take MRI, USG, CT scan tests.

Blood tests may help to diagnose any underlying disorder like  imbalance in thyroid hormones or diabetes.

Treatment

Management is totally based on the severity as well as on the underlying diseases. Psychomotor disorders may be acute or chronic and may happen due to the impairment in genetic factors or on the basis of neurological symptoms. This can show symptoms for life long but it is manageable with efficacious medicines and other therapies.

As per Ayurveda Aspect this disease can be caused due to the kapha- vata and tama dosha dosha that affects the manovaha srotas. These doshas affect the mana, buddhi, smriti, sheel, bhakti and cheshta along with it shows various symptoms like slow down the activities, delayed response, disturbed emotional status. This disease can be managed by various means of Ayurvedic medications and gives efficient results in the patient’s condition. Planet Ayurveda gives some effective formulations to treat this condition.

PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a holistic herbal manufacturing company that prepares various types of herbal medicines that help the patient to get relief from their diseases and these articulations are prepared by the ancient methods that are mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts. These are 100% natural and give no side-effects to the patient. These are free from adulterants or substitutes, fillers, dyes etc. some herbal medications that are used to manage this condition are –

1. NEUROGENIE CAPSULES
2. YOGENDRA RAS
3. NEURO PLAN SYRUP
4. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES
5. KALYANAKA GHRIT

1. NEUROGENIE CAPSULES

This polyherbal formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda consists of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These both are vata anulomana and have great effects on the mano vaha srotas dushti. Bpth helps the patient to increase their pace in day to day activities and gives strength to the neuro-muscular system.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

2. YOGENDRA RAS

This is classical polyherbal and mineral formulation described in ayurvedic texts consists of the parada (purified mercury), loha bhasma (purified iron) etc. this articulation helps to patient to get relief from the motor disturbances and can treat various types of psychotic disorders.

Dosage: 1 once-daily–chew it with warm ghee or warm water

3. NEURO PLAN SYRUP

This is a polyherbal formulation patent by planet ayurveda prepared by the ancient classical methods consists of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) etc. these herbs are very effective in kapho-vataj conditions and gives strength to psychomotor reflexes, helps to improve the communication skills, socialising skills, speech abilities, and many other psychomotor symptoms.

Dosage : 2 teaspoons twice a day with plain water, after meals.

4. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES

This is a polyherbal formulation patent by planet ayurveda prepared by traditional methods consists of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) etc. these herbs are very effective in strengthening the muscles and nervous system disorders. Both herbs are very helpful in decreased somatic activities like slowed bathing, cooking, and verbal communications.

Dosage : 1 Capsule once or twice daily after meals.

5. KALYANAKA GHRIT

This is classical Ayurvedic formulation mentioned in ayurvedic texts consisting of haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) etc. This is very effective in several psychotic disorders and helps to get relief in bipolar depression, mental disorders, and strengthens neuro-muscular diseases.

Dosage : 1 tsp twice daily with warm water

Contact at Planet Ayurveda to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214040 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com