1
Stabilisation
Days 1–7Daily Abhyanga + Padabhyanga + Shirodhara (warm Brahmi Tailam, 45 min). Strict daily routine — bed by 9pm, rise 5am. No phone for first 5 days. Saraswatarishtam, Brahmi Ghrita, Ashwagandha. Cardiologist monitoring vitals.
All case studiesSevere chronic stress + burnout
Executive burnout — back to work + leadership after 4 weeks Panchakarma
C-suite executive on the verge of resignation due to severe burnout, palpitations, hypertension flares, and sleep collapse. 21-day residential Kerala Panchakarma + 60-day Rasayana phase. Returned to work in a sustainable form.
PSS-10 from 32/40 → 8/40; sleep + cognition restored
Patient
44y Male
Occupation
CXO at fintech
From
Dubai
Duration
3 months
Presentation at baseline
Patient self-presented with PSS-10 score of 32/40, fasting BP 158/102, sleep onset latency > 90 min nightly, persistent palpitations, panic spikes during board calls, marked cognitive decline, marital tension. Anti-anxiety and beta-blocker on PRN basis. Cardiologist had cleared structurally but recommended urgent stress reduction. Patient took 6-week medical leave for residential treatment.
Classical diagnosis
Dosha
Severe Vata-Pitta vitiation with Ojas-Kshaya
Dhatu involvement
Vata in Manovaha-srotas; Pitta in Rakta + Hridaya; Ojas depletion
Classical: severe Manasika-rogavyadhi with cardiac (Hridaya-vyadhi) involvement. Charaka warns this stage is reversible if addressed promptly but progresses to structural cardiovascular disease if ignored. Required Brmhana (nourishing) approach — no aggressive Shodhana initially given depleted Ojas.
Treatment protocol
2
Snehapana + gentle Virechana
Days 8–14Mahatiktaka Ghrita Snehapana 7 days. Mild Virechana on day 15 (Pitta-pacifying). No aggressive Vamana given Vata dominance.
3
Brmhana phase
Days 15–21Continued Shirodhara daily, daily Pizhichil for last 7 days. Phala Ghrita, Brahma Rasayana introduced. Yoga Nidra 90 min daily.
4
Reintegration
Days 22–90Returned home; OPD weekly follow-up. Continued Saraswatarishtam, Brahma Rasayana, daily 30-min walk. Phone work only between 9am–6pm. Coached on delegation and meeting boundaries.
Outcome
PSS-10 score 32 → 19 (day 21) → 8 (day 90). BP normalised to 124/82 by day 60 without medication. Sleep onset < 15 min consistently. Palpitations resolved. Cognitive functioning restored — patient back to leading board meetings with restructured calendar (no early calls, no late dinners with stakeholders, mandatory weekly off-grid day). Spouse reported significant relationship improvement.
Doctor's notes
CXO-tier burnout cases respond remarkably well when patients commit to the residential phase — the single biggest factor is removing them from triggers for 21 days. We had to coach the patient extensively on post-Panchakarma boundary-setting; most relapses come from returning to identical work patterns. The Shirodhara + Brahma Rasayana combination is our standard protocol for high-demand executive burnout; it works.
Want similar care?
Disclosure: This is a composite case study with details changed for privacy. Clinical particulars are verified by our clinical advisory board for plausibility and educational value. Individual outcomes depend on diagnosis accuracy, compliance, severity, and other factors — these results are illustrative, not guarantees.