Mind-Body Connection & Psychology Flashcards

Which of the four Purusharthas (aims of life) does Ayurveda consider foundational because all others depend upon it?

Answer: Dharma (righteous duty)

Dharma is the foundation because acting in alignment with one's nature and universal law creates the psychological harmony needed to pursue all other aims of life.

A patient with Unmada (mental disorder) displays delusions, incoherent speech, and violent behavior. According to Ayurveda, which dosha predominates?

Answer: Pitta

Pittaja Unmada is characterized by violent behavior, red eyes, delusions of grandeur, extreme agitation, and psychotic features due to Pitta's fiery nature disturbing the mind.

What does the Ayurvedic concept of 'Satmya' have to do with psychological adaptation and stress resilience?

Answer: Satmya refers to beneficial substances that become habitually tolerated; the mind adapts similarly to repeated positive practices

Satmya (wholesome habituation) explains how repeated exposure to beneficial practices, foods, and environments gradually builds psychological resilience and stress tolerance.

Which Ayurvedic assessment tool evaluates a patient's psychological constitution by examining their memory, emotional tendencies, and decision-making patterns?

Answer: Prakriti assessment (Manasika portion)

Prakriti assessment includes a Manasika (psychological) component that evaluates mental constitution, emotional tendencies, intellectual capacity, and behavioral patterns.

In Ayurvedic psychology, 'Dharana' (concentration) and 'Dhyana' (meditation) are considered therapeutic because they primarily affect which aspect of the mind?

Answer: They settle Chitta by reducing Rajas and Tamas, allowing Sattva to predominate

Meditation practices settle the fluctuations of Chitta (the mind-field) by reducing Rajasic agitation and Tamasic dullness, allowing the natural Sattvic clarity to emerge.

A practitioner notices that a patient's grief (Shoka) is causing physical symptoms including hair loss and weight loss. Which Ayurvedic principle best explains this connection?

Answer: Emotions as a form of Vata that moves through Srotas (channels), disturbing tissues when suppressed or excessive

Ayurveda understands emotions as movements of Vata; when intense emotions like grief are not properly processed, they disturb Vata in the channels (Srotas) causing downstream tissue depletion.

Which Sanskrit term describes the Ayurvedic practice of using specific sounds, mantras, or music as therapeutic interventions for psychological disorders?

Answer: Daiva Vyapashraya Chikitsa

Daiva Vyapashraya Chikitsa (spiritual/divine therapies) encompasses mantra, yantra, prayer, and ritual used to address karmic and metaphysical dimensions of psychological disease.