Depression
and its Homeopathic Management
Happiness
and sadness are the parts of life. Rather one can state clearly that both of
these are the states of mind and as we know MIND is the major culprit in all
the disorders whether mental or physical. Therefore, the person who governs
over his mind views the life as a game and comes out of the depressive spells
with ease. However if the person has a brooding tendency with typical burrowing
deep into the pit, he never knows when the life has entered the phase of
depression.
Today,
however, the word depression is used almost by all, who do not know how to
handle day to day stress. Stress-related depression has become synonymous with
modern day lifestyle. But actual depression is much severe condition where the
person sinks into the pits of sadness while losing interest in everything that
is related to him. That emptiness and despair do not go away easily. There are
some variations of depression as well. Some people reach to the point of
indifference, loathe life or may even feel angry, aggressive and abusive.
Signs
and symptoms of depression-
·
The
person cannot sleep well or sleeps too much through the day
·
The
ability to concentrate on the day to day work is gone. The tasks that were
performed easily previously now seem elephantine jobs.
·
How
much he tries, he cannot control negative emotions; more he tries to do so,
more he sinks deep into the pit.
·
Either
absolute lack of appetite or he may resort to binge eating; therefore, most
depressed people are either anorexic or overweight
·
Increase
in the irritability, anxiety and at times aggressiveness
·
Some
kind of reckless behavior is apparent in the initial phases
·
The
person may consume much more alcohol and/or smoke vigorously
·
Suicidal
thoughts and attempts
·
Socially
withdrawn attitude – one does not want to mix with the society and wants to keep
aloof
·
Sudden
drained out feeling is also quite common.
There
can be many variations of this depression and one has to have individualized
approach to deal with the cases of depression for the very reason.
Age
differences are also quite common. Usually the depressive spells seem to start
during the teenage years. If careful attention is given at this age, one can
ward off this depressive spell from the life of this individual. Rather in
homeopathy, we say that if we happen to trace the depressive traits in younger
age, we can help PREVENT depression in this child in future. We will see this
in details later on.
Depression
is commoner in women than in men. Perhaps the various life-changing milestones
that a woman goes through can be considered as the possible causes behind this.
Depression
is also observed in many aged people living alone, which are fed up of life. Compassionate
surroundings reduce the impact of age-related depression.
Homeopathic
Approach to the Patients with Depression—
As
stated above, every depressed individual’s needs are different. Each one has
unique life and the circumstances that are unique to them in their life. Though
genetic predisposition governs many patients with depression, acquired life
influences have great role to play in these people. Lack of positive atmosphere
at home is one of the most important factors that causes mental and emotional
hazard to people.
As
we know, homeopathy believes in holistic approach to every case. Therefore, a
patient with depression is looked at in a similar manner. Study of Mind is
again the basis of prescription. Delving deep into the patient’s mind is an art
and a good homeopath can do that through observation and apt questioning. The
study of behavior, talking and/or writing style of the patient, his way of
emailing, his approach to life, his likes and dislikes, etc prove vital in the
constitutional prescribing.
However,
herewith I would also like to stress on the point that we usually do not jump
to the constitutional prescription upon first interaction with the patient. If we
need to sow a seed, first we make sure that the soil is perfect for sowing so that
we get a good crop. Similarly, in order to give the rightly chosen
constitutional prescription, the patient should be in a position to receive the
dose of medicine positively so that it will act favorably. This point is
extremely important. Wrong timing of the medicine is the reason why most well
chosen constitutional medicines do not act favorably.
Also
many patients come to us after some kind of allopathic medication, some
anti-depressants or other medicines, which might have hampered their healthy
susceptibility to receive the homeopathic constitutional medicine with open
arms. Also they might have some kind of acute symptomatology that needs quick
attention and quick relief. For example- If a person is so depressed that he
wants to attempt suicide and his constitutional remedy is Phosphorus. A high
dose of Phosphorus at this juncture perhaps will not be useful. We must cater
his acute needs first and try to change his mind set with an appropriate acute
remedy, of course along with the psychological counseling. Once the patient is
out of that spell, we can think of his or her constitutional make up and choose
the remedy accordingly.
Having
said that, it also needs to be stressed that there is no alternative to the constitutional
study in any such chronic depression case! Only that constitutional dose can
hit at the deepest of motives and instincts of man, which can prevent dangers
in future.
There
are many constitutions in homeopathic materia medica that are prone to
depression. These remedies include Natrum mur, Sepia, Arsenicum album,
Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Aurum metallicum, Lilium tigrinum, Phosphoric acid, Ignatia,
Staphysagria, etc and many more. It is a fascinating journey for a patient of
depression to find CURE through homeopathy. A keen observer can actually
witness the patient’s changing states in a step-wise manner from depression to
normalcy.
A
Note on Childhood Homeopathic Treatment—
We
have always stressed upon the homeopathic treatment of children. Here you can
read the detailed article on it. If we tap the miasmatic overload in childhood,
we can prevent later damages in a skillful manner with homeopathy. Especially it
is important for we can prevent such mind-related disorders in children if an
apt constitutional prescription is given in the childhood. This helps them tap
their fullest possible potential without falling prey to the pitfalls on the
way. And wonderfully enough, this can lead to a mature and happy society in the
future!
