Back to School Anxiety

The new school year is upon us and going back to school can be really upsetting for many children especially if they are starting at a new school, or beginning school for the first time. Their main concerns include how will I perform when asked a question, what if I make a mistake, how will my teacher react, will I make friends or be disappointed? Between facing new teachers, new friends, new classrooms, schedules and leaving fun filled summer days behind is it any wonder the transition can be upsetting. I have successfully treated children (and parents) when nerves are restless, senses heightened and emotions in turmoil. Homeopathy is safe, non toxic, non addictive, non invasive and helps children do and feels their best through all the mental, emotional and physical challenges of school. Let me share with you some self help information and homeopathic remedies that provide back-to-school support.

· Firstly let your child know that it is perfectly normal to feel worried about starting something new but once they give school a chance they will get used to it and feel better in no time at all.
· Younger children may find it difficult to articulate their worries, whilst older teenagers may just not consider it “cool” to communicate their worries. Just letting them know you are there to talk should they want to, is generally enough.
· Reflect back your observations “I can see you are feeling really nervous / anxious”; or for older kids: “I noticed you looked anxious when we were talking about school today….is there anything in particular you were worried about?”

Homeopathy provides effective remedies for back to school anxiety and they are also assist with other types of anxiety such as a trip to the dentist, or nerves before making a presentation, sitting an exam or test performance. Homeopathic medicines should be available in your local health shop, pharmacy or online. Read the descriptions for each remedy below and choose the one most appropriate for your child. Give the homeopathic medicine 3 times a day for up to 14 days. If symptoms disappear before the 14th day discontinue the remedy. If symptoms continue it would be advisable to seek the help of a qualified Homeopath who has a better knowledge of remedies, potencies and the frequency for repeating the remedy etc.

Aconite 30: Give this medicine to a child who is extremely fearful and restless. They cannot sit still and may actually have a scared expression. This is also the main acute Homeopathic medicines for panic style attacks with a beating heart, sensation of not being able to get enough air, and feeling faint.

Argentum Nitricum 30: Give this remedy to a child who suffers with anticipatory anxiety and feels very nervous. They are likely to have diarrhea and flatulence with their anxiety.

Arsenicum album30: Give this Homeopathic remedy if your child is very restless and insecure with their anxiety. They may show a degree of exhaustion but you know this tiredness has an emotional basis and is linked to anxiety.

Calc Phos 30: Give this remedy when your child is reluctant to go to school. They may have headaches and/or tummy aches that prevent them from going. They may deny there is anything wrong at school but they have the convenient ‘illness’ that allows them to stay at home.

Gelsemium 30: A great general anticipatory anxiety remedy for anxiety before an event such as a first day, exam, or performance. Child feels cowardly and weak. They feel the task ahead of them is too much. (If in doubt and your child’s anticipatory anxiety symptoms are hard to define, try Gelsemium first before other homeopathic medicines.)

Lycopodium 30: Give this medicine when your child is fearful that they will fail and look foolish or incompetent in front of others. They are likely to cover this anxiety up with an overly confident manner but they don’t feel confident. Often these types will ‘perform’ very well each time but still have the preceding anxiety.

Case of Child with Separation Anxiety
A 5 year old, boy, D had just started school. Within the first week he had difficulty sleeping at night. When he did fall asleep he awoke with night terrors and it would take two hours at least before he could fall back to sleep.

When getting ready for school D would complain of tummy ache or headache and insisted his mother travel on the school bus with him. If she refused to go with him he would throw a tantrum.

His teacher reported how D had to use the toilet very often has he complained of loose stools. She also observed him become anxious and breathless for no apparent reason. When she would enquire if all was o.k.? D would become restless and was unable to sit at his desk preferring to pace about the room.

While taking the case I learnt that D’s mother had been hospitalised for a minor procedure during the summer holidays. This event appeared to have traumatised D more than anyone realised.
I prescribed the Homeopathic remedy Arsenic album 200c. D visited me every four weeks for 6 months. On each follow up the same remedy picture and potency was indicated. On each visit D’s symptoms of anxiety lessened. There was a brief recurrence of anxiety a year later, but D’s coping skills were effective at dealing with the problem. Homeopathy made his anxiety attacks more manageable and shorter in duration until finally the anxiety disappeared completely. D’s self esteem strengthened and there was a positive outcome. The case reinforced for me the wondrous results that can be achieved with Homeopathy.

When children are upset and anxious it is easy for parents to worry also. They too can be helped with Homeopathy. Thankfully this starting school transition is usually short lived. A child’s ability to deal with the newness of school will give him/her tools to deal with bigger more demanding events in their lives. When a child has to deal with difficult situations it teaches them how to cope and grow into adults that can cope with adversity. Love and understanding is a prerequisite when helping an anxious child along with a correctly matched homeopathic remedy.

Homeopathy can dissolve Anxiety

Based on principles known and used since the time of Hippocrates in ancient Greece, homeopathy, as we know it, was instigated by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann (1755 -1843) and has since spread worldwide. It is a safe and effective form of natural medicine that offers a real alternative to those looking for a more natural approach to wellness and healing. Over the last two hundred years, homeopathy has proved itself to be a powerful, effective, holistic tool in treating the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of Anxiety.  

As a classically trained homeopath I recognise that symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks, digestive problems, sleep disturbance, muscle tension, compulsive behaviour, depression, are merely expressions of an underlying imbalance in the patient's energy. All the symptoms the patient presents with — physical, emotional, mental, even spiritual symptoms are seen as an expression of this imbalance. Rather than controlling or suppressing these symptoms, I treat them collectively with an appropriate remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are selected, and prescribed in minute doses to stimulate the patient's energies and thereby resolve the underlying imbalance. By treating symptoms in this manner, patients will experience a return to health that is gentle and without any of the possible complications or dangers of allopathic medical treatment.

Despite being used in many other countries homeopathy, as a profession, is still relatively new to Ireland. The study of homeopathy is arduous. Professional training takes a minimum of five years study followed by internship / supervision before the student can become a registered practitioner. To get the best quality homeopathic treatment, it is important to ensure that the practitioner is appropriately qualified as many medical practitioners in Ireland, both allopathic and alternative, use homeopathic remedies with their patients, without the rigour of such training.       

Case History (1)

Mary a single woman in her late fifties, presented for treatment as she was suffering with anxiety. Her symptoms included restlessness, depression, disturbed sleep, terrifying panic attacks and a great need for order and cleanliness. She had severe abdominal cramps accompanied with diarrhoea, her heart palpitated and her limbs felt weak and trembled. Her G.P. had prescribed medication to deal with her panic attacks and depression. She drank at least a half bottle of wine most nights to deal with her insomnia. She had given up her professional career 5 years ago to look after her husband who had suffered a stroke leaving him severely paralysed and unable to think coherently.

While Mary was preparing dinner one evening her husband attempted to get out of his bed in the next room. It resulted in a serious fall, and a broken hip. Mary felt overwhelmed and collapsed mentally, physically and emotionally. Her other symptoms started soon after.

I treated Mary with the remedy Arsenicum Album, a remedy often required by those experiencing intense anxiety, arising from a deep sense of insecurity and inability to adapt to life's changes. The treatment lasted six months, at the end of which Mary had come off all her conventional medication. Her abdominal cramps and diarrhoea disappeared; she slept well which resulted in high energy and a newfound zest for life. She was free of panic attacks; and drank wine only when out to dinner with friends and family. Instead of feeling depressed about life’s circumstances she makes the most of each day with her husband and is enthusiastic about what the future may hold for her.

            Case History (2) 

Harry 59 ran a plant hire business. He described himself as "very successful” Despite all the evident trappings of success, sun holidays twice a year, top of the range car, expensive clothes, jewellery and an exclusive address, he was deeply unhappy, anxious and suicidal. He got no pleasure from life and the only thing that had kept him from suicide was the deep sense of responsibility he felt for the wife and widowed mother he would leave behind. What would happen to them when he was gone?

He worked from age 16 years and had always been driven to succeed, to work hard and make a lot of money.  But having achieved all this he now found it meaningless as he did not have family to pass it on to. Suffering a minor stroke resulted in vascular surgery. He suffered from regular angina attacks, had elevated cholesterol levels and dangerously high blood pressure, Harry gave up hope of ever getting well and felt that a heart attack was looming. He told nobody of his condition. This was his responsibility alone. His illness made him feel unable to work to his full potential and he felt a failure. He was consumed with worry and guilt. Who would look after his many employees and his family?

I started Harry on daily doses of Aurum metallicum, (metallic gold). It has the ability to bring people out of deep, dark, hopeless, often suicidal depression. It also treats a wide range of serious heart disorders. Patients needing this remedy often experience life as an encumbrance and they alone must carry the burden.

During his treatment, Harry recognised that his depression stemmed back to the death of his young son and he went through and intense period of grief. Instead of grieving when he should have he threw himself into his work and buried all the pain of his loss. This newfound awareness instigated a process whereby Harry decided to take early retirement from his job, much to the delight of his wife. He felt life was on the up and up. His cardiologist was very pleased with a  check up some weeks later and reduced  his medication.