Tracing anxiety: DSM-V insights through the lens of Mālankhūliya

Abstract

Anxiety Disorder did not have a distinct identity or separate recognition until the late 19th century. Consequently, Unani medicine literature does not specifically mention it. However, upon correlating and searching for anxiety disorders within Unani texts, one can find extensive literature describing clinical features similar to those of Mālankhūliyā, which aligns with the anxiety disorder categories in the DSM-V criteria. This suggests that Unani medicine scholars were indeed aware of psychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety disorders, and provided clear descriptions of their pathogenesis, clinical features, and management.