Sanjay, a 28-year-old software engineer in Pune, washes his hands dozens of times a day and goes back again and again to check that the gas knob is shut. Thoughts about germs keep forcing their way into his mind, though he knows they make little sense, and these rituals now take up hours of his day. Along with his regular treatment, his psychiatrist plans to add an alternative therapy that research has found effective for his condition.
Which alternative therapy has research found effective for the disorder Sanjay shows?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Kundalini Yoga
Option (1) Kundalini Yoga — Correct. Repeated washing and checking, with unwanted thoughts he cannot stop, are signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Kundalini Yoga combines pranayama with chanting of mantras, and research in San Diego found it effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Option (2) Sudarshana Kriya Yoga — Incorrect. Sudarshana Kriya Yoga uses rapid breathing to induce hyperventilation. It is a low-cost aid for stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression and substance abuse, but it is not the one linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Option (3) Vipasana meditation — Incorrect. Vipasana is mindfulness-based meditation, where the person passively watches passing sensations and thoughts. It may help prevent repeated episodes of depression, which is not Sanjay's problem.
Option (4) Acupuncture — Incorrect. Acupuncture is one of the alternative treatments, along with yoga, meditation and herbal remedies. No finding links it to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
NCERT (2026-27): “Alternative Therapies … |