Kleshas: Five Afflictions and Psychotic Root Causes

The kleshas—avidya (ignorance), asmita (egoism), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear of death)—form Patanjali's diagnosis of human suffering. Applied to psychosis, these five afflictions illuminate vulnerabilities predisposing individuals to psychotic breakdown. Avidya creates distorted reality perception; asmita generates rigid self-constructs vulnerable to shattering; raga and dvesha drive emotional reactivity and defensiveness; abhinivesha fuels existential anxiety and protective delusions. Unlike reductionist neurobiological models, the kleshas framework addresses psychological and existential dimensions of psychotic vulnerability. Therapeutic recovery involves gradually addressing each klesha: developing accurate perception (dissolving avidya), softening rigid self-identity, reducing emotional reactivity, and addressing existential fears. This multi-dimensional approach complements psychiatric treatment by addressing the psychological soil from which psychotic symptoms sprout. Individuals who cultivate awareness of their kleshas—recognizing attachment patterns, aversions, and existential anxieties—develop psychological insight and agency in their recovery, moving beyond symptom management toward fundamental transformation of the psychological patterns supporting psychotic vulnerability.