PSYCHOSOMATIC EFFECTS OF ANXIETY (IZTARAB-E-NAFSANI) AND ITS MANAGEMENT

The whole world is facing very serious problems, in which anxiety is a common problem throughout the world, and is defined as a feeling that, whether people like it or not, they must experience in order to survive. The physical as well as biochemical properties of the body are represented in terms of the Temperament (Mizaj) of individual. The Unani system of medicine is a thorough one that carefully considers both healthy and unhealthy conditions. It is founded on the idea of homeostasis, and one of the six key factors is the disturbance of psychic movement and repose, which weakens tabi’at (physis) and, in turn, alters an individual’s humours and temperament (su’al mizaj), which further weakens tabi’at and tends to cause sickness. In Unani system of medicine great reliance is placed on the prevention from diseases (Tahaffuz) and preservation of health (baqa-e-sehat), has been defined under six essential factors of life (Asbab-e-sitta zarooria). There are four modes of treatment to combat anxiety, i.e. Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer (regimenal therapy), Ilaj bil Ghiza (dietotherapy), Ilaj-bil-Dawa (pharmacotherapy) and Ilaj-bil-Yad (surgery). This paper aims to describe the anxiety, its pathophysiology and basic principles of management in unani medicine.